Construction to Start on the International Tunnel Paso de Agua Negra in 2019

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In 2019 it is planned to begin the construction of one of the most important logistics and engineering works in the continent: International Tunnel Paso de Agua Negra, which will connect San Juan with the Coquimbo region in Chile, 365 days a year.

The tunnel will be the key core of the Central Bioceanic Corridor (it represents 48% of the GDP of South America) that will link 2472 km from or to the port of Porto Alegre, in the Atlantic Ocean, in Brazil with the port of Coquimbo in the Pacific Ocean in Chile.

This tunnel will contribute substantially with the connectivity of the province and the central zone of Argentina, empowering to greater territorial integration and economic and commercial growth.

The tunnels will be a significant improvement from the current border crossing point, located 4.765 meters above sea level and inoperable for freight transportation. Instead, the Agua Negra project promises the installation of two 13.9-kilometer multi-lane tunnels.

Each tunnel will account for a two-lane road, meant to ease traffic flow and additional side space for pedestrians. There will be passageways connecting both tunnels, given any case of emergency. Built-in ventilation systems, fire protection and fume extraction systems have been designed as well. Sanatoriums and Firefighter stations will be located at each of the tunnel’s exits, to provide immediate assistance if needed.

The tunnels will also be accessible for cargo transportation; one of the project’s main objectives being to simplify the connection between the ports on the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

Macri has assured that the connecting tunnels will allow Argentina to “look towards the Pacific and conquer new markets with the products of our regional economies”. According to the President, the project guarantees a rise in exports for the provinces of Catamarca, Córdoba, Jujuy, La Rioja, Salta, Tucumán and San Juan.

Access to the Pacific Ocean signifies the development of a previously restricted relationship: connections with the Eastern Hemisphere. Macri described the possibilities of “Wines and garlic in Japan, olives from La Rioja in Australia…” among many others.

Agua Negra accounts for funding provided by the Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID). In total, the administration will receive a total of US $1.600 million from the BID in order to complete the project.

There is no question that the project underway will be a significant improvement between Argentina’s and Chile’s diplomatic relations. Not to mention, the possible involvement of Argentina into economies of the Pacific.

San Juan leads the ranking of provinces with the best economic and financial results. “Active Fiscal Solvency” is a State policy in San Juan, with the aim of guaranteeing fiscal balance and predictability. The management of Public Finance shows high standards of transparency and access to information, backed by an Anticyclical Fund that provides predictability and ensures responsiveness to financial commitments.

The road access goes through a property that GTSA – Argentina represents. 1,000,000 acres of farmland opportunities.

 

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