Uruguay's public and private sectors are discussing the possibility of building a new US$300mn bridge to connect the country's highway and rail networks to neighboring Argentina, an official from the country's public works and transport ministry (MTOP) told BNamericas.The structure would link Uruguayan department Colonia to Argentine province Entre Rios to become part of the bioceanic corridor connecting the coast of Argentina's River Plate to Chile's Pacific ports, the official said.
The project will connect the rail networks of Argentina and Uruguay, becoming an extension of the line that is expected to connect to the 52km Trasandino Central low-altitude rail tunnel, whose construction is being promoted by Argentine firm Corporacion America (CASA).
The US$3bn rail tunnel, already declared of public interest in both Chile and Argentina, will link central Chile to Argentine province Mendoza.
The rail line's first phase is slated for completion in 2020, and will connect to Argentina's central railway, which links to Entre Rios. Construction of the binational bridge will complete the three countries' rail connection, linking Entre Rios to Uruguay.
The bridge's construction is being supported by the public sector, including MTOP and state-owned rail firm AFE. However, the project's future will depend on a number of issues, including bilateral relations between Argentina and Uruguay, the official said.
Re-print of the article "Public, private sectors eye US$300mn binational bridge - Argentina, Uruguay" written by Eva Medalla for Business News Americas
Source: http://www.bnamericas.com/news/infrastructure/Public,_private_sectors_eye_US*300mn_binational_bridge1
