| Work Detail |
Bids have been opened for the asphalt work on Provincial Route 60 at the Mamuil Malal international pass, near Junín de los Andes.
Governor Rolando Figueroa headed the opening of the tenders for paving the remaining gravel section of Provincial Route 60 to the international border with Chile at the Mamuil Malal pass on Monday at the Government House, with which Neuquén will add its fourth fully paved international pass with the trans-Andean country.
The project, whose international tender number is 01/2024, involves paving 12.24 kilometers in the section that goes from the entrance to Lanín National Park to the border with Chile. Seven interested companies submitted their respective offers.
This project is part of the territorial balance and development program financed by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America. It has a budget of $12.427 million and an execution period of 18 consecutive months.
The president highlighted the presence at the opening of the Chilean Consul General in Neuquén, Jorge Beals Pott: “For us, the link with Chile is very important and we make this clear every time we carry out actions, specifically in the development of the energy matrix in collaboration with Chile; and we are doing so in a very coordinated manner, but with increasing interest from the neighboring country,” he said.
“Beyond our cultural, historical and blood ties with Chile, we believe that this must be supported by works; and the connection through border crossings is essential - he added - since the completion of these works, together with those being carried out on Provincial Route 23 from Aluminé to Junín de los Andes, will allow the consolidation of a continuous tourist circuit that will connect the main tourist towns of the province through fully paved roads.”
For her part, the head of Upefe, Tanya Bertoldi, highlighted the work of the staff of that organization and of Vialidad Provincial "in this first international tender, which is a source of pride."
For the mayor of Junín, Luis Madueño, this is “a historic day for a step that had been postponed. That is why we believe that it is the beginning of something very important for the entire southern region in terms of connectivity between Argentina and Chile.”
The Mamuil Malal pass, also known as Tromen, represents a strategic alternative to other border crossings in the region. While Pino Hachado specializes in cargo transportation and Cardenal Samoré maintains a mixed profile, Mamuil Malal has proven tourist potential due to its proximity to Aluminé, Junín de los Andes and Sa Martín de los Andes.
On the Chilean side, connectivity is guaranteed by the fully paved Route 199, which links to important tourist centres such as Pucón, Villarrica and Temuco. This road integration reflects the evolution of the concept of the border, transforming it from a rigid barrier to a space for territorial integration.
The paving of Route 60 is also particularly important as it is a fundamental part of the so-called "Tourist Circuit of Faith," which includes important religious sites in the microregion, including Via Christi and the figure of Laura Vicuña in Junín de los Andes, as well as the Kultrum of San Ignacio, where the remains of Ceferino Namuncurá rest.
This project is part of an ambitious road works plan that includes multiple interventions throughout the province. Among the most notable works financed by CAF are the paving of Provincial Route 46 (21.68 km) in the section Coloco Creek – Provincial Route 24 junction in Aluminé; the asphalting of Provincial Route 43 (19.66 km) in the Las Ovejas – Varvarco section; and the paving of Route 62 (6.03 km) from the Parque Rosales neighborhood to the Quilquihue-Lago Logog bridge in San Martín de los Andes.
Pampas grass
The province of Neuquén has been taking significant steps in its road development. Last Friday, with the support of YPF, Governor Figueroa announced the paving of the section of Provincial Route 7 known as Cortaderas, which will bring the towns of Alto Neuquén (North) closer to the capital region, since those who travel there will save about 100 kilometers of travel, making this work especially beneficial for the communities of Chos Malal, Buta Ranquil and Barrancas.
Eight international steps
Neuquén is the province in the country with the best and most extensive connections with Chile. In total, it has eight international crossings for vehicle traffic, six of which are permanent, one is enabled during the summer season, and the eighth is still under construction.
From south to north, the eight international passes are the following: Cardenal Samoré in Villa La Angostura, Hua Hum in San Martín de los Andes, Carririñe and Mamuil Malal in the Junín de los Andes area, Icalma in Villa Pehuenia, Pino Hachado, Pichachén from Cholar (summer only) and Minas-Ñuble, west of Las Ovejas, the latter being worked on to open trails on both sides of the mountain range.
Those that are paved so far are Samoré, Pino Hachado and Icalma. |
