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The national government has decided to re-tender the concession of the main Mercosur highway, currently operated by Caminos del Río Uruguay (CRUSA), generating a legal controversy. This decision was made official through Decree 28/2025, which begins the bidding process for the Federal Concession Network, including Road Corridor 18, which comprises national routes 12 and 14, and the Rosario-Victoria Bridge, covering the provinces of Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe and Corrientes. Corridor 18, operated by CRUSA, covers 668 kilometers, including 135 kilometers of highway and 532 kilometers of one-way road. This artery is considered crucial for traffic in Mercosur, connecting the Argentine coast with Brazil and Uruguay. The new tender seeks a new operator for this important route. The government argues that this re-tendering, which includes the privatization of routes currently managed by the state-owned Corredores Viales, seeks to reduce public spending by approximately 6.1 billion dollars over a period of 15 to 20 years. The aim is to create a system without state subsidies, unlike the previous system, which is considered to be in deficit. Vialidad Nacional will supervise the contracts, ensuring compliance with the conditions and the quality of the service. To attract investors, maximum rates were set and any rate increase was made conditional on a substantial improvement in the conditions of the roads, including “zero potholes”, shoulder pads, signage and lighting. The National Highway Authority will carry out a results-based control of the condition of the roads. The tender will be carried out in two stages: the first for the CRUSA route and the second for the rest of the Corredores Viales routes and other non-concessioned routes, totalling 8,648 kilometres in 12 sections. CRUSA, for its part, claims the validity of its contract and the lack of tariff renegotiation by the State since 2009. The company is in preventive bankruptcy and has initiated legal action against the State for breach of contract, claiming compensation. CRUSA argues that the lack of updating of rates led them to a critical financial situation, affecting the maintenance of the routes and the employment of their 550 workers. In addition, it is mentioned that in August 2024 a private consortium made up of Luis Losi SA; Rovella Carranza SA and JCR SA showed interest in the concession. The companies mentioned are Caminos del Río Uruguay (CRUSA), Luis Losi SA; Rovella Carranza SA and JCR SA |
