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The National Government has officially launched the tendering process for the new Federal Concession Network, beginning with Road Corridor 18. This corridor, which mainly includes national routes 12 and 14, the Rosario-Victoria Bridge and crosses the provinces of Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe and Corrientes, will be the first to be awarded under this new scheme. The main objective is to reduce public spending, estimated at 6.1 billion dollars over a period of 15 to 20 years, by delegating the operation and maintenance of these routes to the private sector. This new toll concession system differs from previous ones in that it will not have subsidies from the public sector. The aim is to create a self-sustaining system that will provide real benefits to users. Vialidad Nacional will be the agency in charge of supervising and controlling the contracts, ensuring their compliance. The Federal Concession Network covers a total of 9,145 kilometers, distributed in thirteen sections, which represent 20% of the national road network, but concentrate 80% of the traffic. One of the key aspects for users is the implementation of maximum rates that can be offered by the concessionaire companies. In addition, the rates in force at the time of the offer cannot be modified until the company ensures optimal traffic conditions on the routes, complying with parameters such as zero potholes, shoulder alignment, horizontal and vertical signage, and lighting. Vialidad Nacional will carry out an exhaustive control of the roadways to ensure the safety and comfort of users. From a management perspective, the Ministry of Economy, through the Secretariat of Transport, will have broad powers and responsibilities in this process. These include the modification of the configuration of the sections, the call for national and international public tenders, the approval of the specifications and the contract, the organization of the Concessions Commission, and the qualification of the bidders. In short, the government seeks to modernize the road system, making it safer and more efficient through private investment and supervision by the National Highway Administration. Corridor 18 is the first to be tendered under this new scheme that seeks to reduce public spending and improve conditions for users. The news does not mention specific companies that will participate in the tender, but it does detail the routes that make up Corridor 18: Routes 12, 14, 135, A-015, 117 and 174. |
