| Work Detail |
The Government of Córdoba has delegated the execution of road works throughout the province to the company Caminos de las Sierras. This measure, formalized through Decree 117/2024, allows the Ministry of Infrastructure to commission the construction, remodeling, improvement, and maintenance of roads, highways, and interchanges beyond the metropolitan area of ??the capital. The decision seeks to ensure greater flexibility and agility in project execution, in line with the principles of speed, efficiency, and administrative economy. Furthermore, the decree authorizes the ministry to modify the location, addition, or elimination of toll plazas, always with the intervention of the Public Services Regulatory Entity (Ersep). Caminos de las Sierras, a state-owned company responsible for the access network to the city of Córdoba, has already been the vehicle for the completion of major road projects in the province. Large-scale projects, such as the highways in Paravachasca and Punilla, have been financed through this company with contributions from the provincial Treasury and international loans managed by the Córdoba Investment and Financing Agency (ACIF). However, the strategy of channeling funds through a public limited company has drawn criticism from opposition sectors, who argue that this reduces transparency and oversight of public spending. In particular, they point out that the Court of Accounts has no authority over state-owned companies and that capital transfers are carried out without effective oversight of the funds. The provincial administration defends the model, arguing that it optimizes time and costs, in addition to facilitating access to external financing. They also assert that the delegation of these powers does not entail a significant change in the management of public works, as these are powers provided for in current legislation. In this context, the completion of pending sections of the Route 19 highway will be one of the first projects under this new provision. Road infrastructure is expected to continue expanding under this scheme, with the goal of improving connectivity throughout the province of Córdoba. |
