en.Wedoany.com Reported - Argentina's Neuquén Province plans to apply for a $250 million loan from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) to fund road construction connecting Chile's Biobío Region, aiming to promote bilateral trade, energy, and tourism integration.

The loan will be used to implement the "Neuquén Provincial Regional and International Integration Connectivity Plan," focusing on paving and improving the strategic corridor of the Pichachén International Crossing. This corridor is considered a key node for the commercial integration of the Vaca Muerta region.

On the Chilean side, efforts are underway to advance the Bi-Oceanic Corridor to support Argentina's mining and oil and gas industries, providing a direct export route for Argentine products through Pacific ports. Under bilateral agreements, Neuquén Province has committed to advancing road paving works within the Bi-Oceanic Corridor.

The planned works cover approximately 165 kilometers of provincial roads, primarily the corridor connecting the town of Andacollo with the Pichachén International Crossing, via Provincial Routes 38, 57, and 6. Additionally, the plan includes other implemented or planned projects, such as paving Provincial Route 43 (RP 43) and future asphalt laying on Provincial Route 54 (RP 54). Sections of Provincial Route 21 (RP 21) will also be paved.

If the CAF loan is approved, it will be combined with a previous $150 million loan from the World Bank. The World Bank loan will be used for paving Provincial Routes 54, 63, and 65, as well as preparing pre-investment projects required for subsequent tenders for the Pichachén International Crossing.

Argentina's state-owned oil company YPF has also recently reached an agreement with Neuquén Province, planning to invest $175 million in infrastructure to support the province's liquefied natural gas (LNG) project development.

Other planned works include paving Provincial Route 6 (RP 6) towards Rincón de los Sauces and Octavio Pico, as well as Provincial Route 7 (RP 7) starting from Añelo. The Neuquén provincial government will also negotiate with the neighboring Río Negro Province to pave a section of Provincial Route 57 (RP 57) and connect it to National Route 151, opening a direct route to Atlantic ports.

On the Chilean side, the Biobío Region will promote paving of the Q-45 Highway from kilometer 58 to the international border, and procure specialized snow removal equipment to ensure the passage remains open during winter. Both governments have reaffirmed their support for establishing a new integrated control system for customs and immigration management on the Chilean side.

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