A finance package worth over US$1 billion has been secured to build the second Chaco-Corrientes bridge in Argentina. The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) has approved a $700 million credit line for Argentina as well as a $345 million first individual loan for the project.
Spanning the Paraná River, the new 772m-long bridge will connect Argentina’s Chaco Province and Corrientes Province. Located in Argentina’s north-east, the new bridge is expected to serve 88,000 people/day according to the IADB.
At present the Paraná River in this area is spanned by the General Manuel Belgrano Bridge, which links the cities of Resistencia and Corrientes. However, this bridge has weight restrictions for vehicles using it and is also heavily congested, leading to traffic delays.
The plans call for new bridge to be located 9km from the General Manuel Belgrano Bridge, linking National Route 11 with National Route 12. Construction of the new link will include building the 772m cable stayed bridge spanning the Paraná River itself, as well as 5.6km of viaducts and over 28km of new connecting roads running on top of embankments.
The project is being overseen by the Argentinian Government and will also help improve vehicle traffic and trade between Argentina and Paraguay to the north, as well as aiding tourism to the region.
