Brazil unveils tender to build binational bridge with Bolivia
Brazil’s Minister of Transportation Renan Filho signed the tender for the design and construction of the binational bridge linking Brazil and Bolivia, in the state of Rondônia, on Tuesday (Nov. 14). The undertaking is hailed as one of the highlights of the New PAC (Growth Acceleration Program) for the northern region. The winning bidder should be announced on December 28.
According to the government, the new structure will be built over the Mamoré river, between the municipality of Guajará-Mirim, in Rondônia, and Guayaramerin, in the Department of Beni, in Bolivia. In all, the bridge will be 1.22 km long, with a cable-stayed central span to facilitate navigability.
The project also includes the construction of a border complex measuring 9,282 m², and a further 3.7 km of access lanes on the Brazilian side. The neighboring country will be required to do the same on the Bolivian side. The construction period is approximately three years and is estimated to generate up to 4,300 direct and indirect jobs in the region.
The Mamoré is a river that originates in the Andes mountains and is part of the Amazon basin. It also forms a section of the border between Brazil and Bolivia.
The agreement between the governments of Brazil and Bolivia to build the bridge dates back to 2007, but it had never come to fruition. In September, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Bolivian President Luis Arce talked about resuming the enterprise, a priority on the bilateral agenda.
As approved by the Brazil–Bolivia Binational Commission, the estimated cost of the work is BRL 429.5 million and the tender will be carried out via the Integrated Special Contracting Regime, whereby the same company responsible for drawing up the basic and executive projects will carry out the planned works.
“It will be up to the National Department of Transport Infrastructure to supervise preparations as well as execution. The Brazilian government may approve modifications presented by Bolivia during the design phase and both parties will have to take part in supervising the work until it is completed,” the ministry stated.
