San Lorenzo: Damaged bollards reignite questions over costly avenue project

Residents of San Lorenzo's Capilla del Monte neighborhood are questioning the substantial public expenditure on Avenida Prof. Dr. Victorio Curiel, where more than 50 bollards along the central promenade and bike lane are now damaged or out of place.

The avenue's features were installed during the tenure of former mayor Felipe Salomón, who is now seeking re-election. Locals described the current state of the area as "terrible," noting that the bollards, intended to protect cyclists and pedestrians, are now scattered across the central median and sidewalks.

According to a tender from the National Directorate of Public Procurement, the project, identified as ID 430285, was awarded in 2023 to Constructora Pereira Thalmann SRL. The company is owned by Enrique Pereira Thalmann, a former mayor and current mayoral candidate.

The Municipality of San Lorenzo allocated G. 2,741,843,181 for the project, which included adapting the bike lane, signage, and equipping the entire route. Despite their protective purpose, the bollards have been problematic since the project's early months. In December 2023, a vehicle damaged at least six bollards, and they have not been replaced.