| Work Detail |
These are the gas pipeline in San Rafael and the El Challao aqueduct. The mayors have made presentations and efforts in Buenos Aires to release the money.
The San Rafael gas pipeline is one of the most anticipated works in recent times. Photo: Courtesy of the Municipality of San Rafael
Two key works for Mendoza, awaiting national funds
Sergio Massa in San Rafael Photo: Courtesy of the Municipality of San Rafael
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President Javier Milei was clear in the campaign with his objective of reducing expenses of the State and repeated the phrase “There is no money” like a mantra during the first weeks of the administration. Finally, the cuts came and the municipalities were the most affected. Especially those that have works in progress that depend on national funds. This is the case of San Rafael and Las Heras.
The works of the San Rafael gas pipeline.
Both Omar Félix and Francisco Lo Presti opened the umbrella regarding the possible paralysis of the gas pipeline in San Rafael and the aqueduct in Las Heras, respectively. From the southern commune they indicated that they are managing the sending of funds in Buenos Aires. “The work is more than 90% complete and it must be finished, it cannot be stopped. The gas pipeline is going to change the lives of many people and opens the doors of industrial development to San Rafael,” indicated a source from the commune.
The biggest problem with the last section of the gas pipeline is the need for imported materials. Between inflation and the devaluation of the peso against the dollar, values ??skyrocketed and it is impossible to cover them without the support of the Nation.
In Las Heras they are also waiting for the arrival of national funds to finish the El Challao aqueduct and the foothills. From the radical municipality they are optimistic and assure that they have no financial resentment. However, a few days ago they made a legal presentation for Enohsa to send the corresponding amount to the aqueduct. “So far there is no negative,” they said, hoping that national funds would arrive in the short term.
The San Rafael gas pipeline
The San Rafael gas pipeline is more than 90% complete, as confirmed by Emir Félix before finishing his term. From the municipality, they hoped to inaugurate it before September of last year but the deadlines were delayed and it still does not have a certain date to come into operation. The gas pipeline is a historic work that will make it possible to provide natural gas to 26 thousand homes and companies in the south of Mendoza.
Details of the project that could supply the foothills and expand the urbanization are finalized
Details of the project that could supply the foothills and expand the urbanization
are finalized The agreement between the Nation and the municipality of San Rafael was signed in June 2021 between the mayor Emir Félix and the then Secretary of Energy Darío Martínez. The work consists of the construction of a high pressure interconnection between the Gasandes gas pipeline and the city of San Rafael.
The San Rafael gas pipeline.
Almost a year later, in April 2022, the pipes arrived to install the 50-kilometer pipeline and almost immediately the work began on the side of National Route 143. In May 2023, the placement of the pipes was almost finished and they reached Plaza España where the lowering station is located. Next came the stage of controlling weld seams, hydraulic testing and other actions to control the integrity of the pipe.
The Las Heras aqueduct
The Las Heras aqueduct was announced in May 2022 by the then mayor Daniel Orozco. This is an old claim of the population of the area to the west of the department.
El Challao does not have drinking water.
It is a 12 kilometer aqueduct, with a telescopic system, with different pumping reserves. It extends from the Alto Godoy area, reaching the Barrio Sanidad pumping station; From there a fork emerges, to the west along Champagnat Avenue, to the Virgen roundabout where there will be a 3,500 cubic meter reservoir where the expansion area is supplied, and on the other hand, from the Sanidad neighborhood to the east, as reinforcement of the neighborhoods of the city of Mendoza and areas of El Challao (Municipal, Smata, 12 de Junio, among others).
When the announcement was made, national and provincial authorities participated, at a time when Orozco was part of Cambia Mendoza. In previous years, sewer works were carried out in the area and the new project consists of bringing drinking water, which is what there is not in El Challao. During the provincial PASO campaign, the Cambia Mendoza candidates questioned Orozco for not having advanced with the work.
Sergio Massa, the common factor
Last year, the former Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, promised funds for the gas pipeline and the aqueduct in his dual role as official-presidential candidate. In July, he met with Daniel Orozco in Buenos Aires in the midst of the doctors breakup with Cambia Mendoza and his approach to Omar De Marchi to set up La Unión Mendocina.
Sergio Massa toured the gas pipeline work in San Rafael (Courtesy Municipality of San Rafael)
In October Sergio Massa passed through San Rafael and during his visit confirmed the funds for the gas pipeline. “We agreed on a transfer program of more than 4,000 million pesos to finish the gas pipeline. This will allow us to provide gas to San Rafael, develop tourism in Villa 25 de Mayo and start the Malargüe gas pipeline. In addition, it allows us to develop the expansion of installed fruit drying capacity, which is essential as a productive business for the region,” said the former presidential candidate.
The other departments without national funds
The rest of the largest departments of Mendoza assured that they did not see their works plan suffer nor was the completion of any project in danger because for four years they received almost no national financing.
“There are no works with national funds. Drinking water was brought to La Favorita but that project is already finished. The Nation has not sent almost anything to the municipality in the last four years,” they explained from the City of Mendoza. For their part, Godoy Cruz indicated that they do not have active works with national funds.
In Guaymallén, Mayor Marcos Calvente explained that they have been and will be cautious in the works they undertake this year. “We have not had to stop works within those that are in progress but we do move with caution in opening new fronts because we want resources to be guaranteed,” said the communal chief.
“We have carried out a couple of tenders but with the guarantee that the resources are there. The works plan is subject to the collection and the criteria that are defined for co-participation,” he added.
From Luján they also clarified that there are no works financed by the Nation in the commune. “There are only two work fronts with Enohsa. Now we are paying with municipal funds until the National Government orders it. These works exceed 80% completion,” said Esteban Allasino.
“We can turn to Enohsa because the municipality is the administrator of water and sewage,” he concluded. |
