Gov’t unveils Brazil–Uruguay integration projects

Brazil’s Infrastructure Minister Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas on Monday (17) met with Uruguay’s Minister of Transport and Public Works Luís Alberto Héber to discuss construction projects for border integration.

After the online hearing, it was agreed that Brazil will be in charge of the tender offer for the construction of a new bridge over Jaguarão river, which divides the two countries in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Also settled is that the draining and signing studies for the Brazil–Uruguay waterway will be initiated.

The bridge will cost $27.5 million, the ministry declared, and is expected to have its tender finalized this year. Also included as part of the projects is the restoration of the International Barão de Mauá bridge, on the same river, linking the cities of Jaguarão, in Brazil, and Rio Branco, in Uruguay. The bridge is listed as cultural heritage of both countries and its pre-project has been approved.

The waterway draining and signing works should enable the transport of rice from North Uruguay to the Brazilian port of Rio Grande, in Rio Grande do Sul. The environmental license was requested by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), and tender offers should open next year.

According to the ministry, integration with other nations is also on the horizon. “Today, an excellent step was taken in Uruguay–Brazil ties with the integration of the infrastructure agendas of both countries. As of now, we will call other partner countries, like Argentina and Paraguay, to set goals so that this agenda can be made effective and strengthen the economy on our borders,” he declared.