en.Wedoany.com Reported - Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced that the Aguaragüe Tunnel construction project in the Tarija department has been designated a national priority project, aimed at improving regional integration between Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay.
The Tarija departmental government is promoting projects totaling 1.6 billion Bolivianos ($225 million), including the construction of treatment plants, educational facilities, and the expansion of Oriel Lea Plaza Airport.
The Bolivian Highway Administration (ABC) revealed that previously suspended technical studies will be restarted, with the goal of completing them by the end of the year to secure financing for project execution. The project is expected to require an investment of $50 million.
The Aguaragüe Tunnel, measuring 1,200 meters in length, is located on the Campo Pajoso–Caraparí section, which belongs to the basic road network route F-0029 and is integrated into the West-South Corridor connecting Bolivia with Paraguay, Chile, and Argentina.
The project previously faced community opposition due to environmental impacts. ABC has coordinated with the National Protected Areas Service (SERNAP) to hold technical and legal meetings to accelerate project feasibility. The meetings identified the importance of incorporating current environmental regulations and strengthening the environmental monitoring component.
