The disruptions of public works in Foz do Iguaçu

On the eve of Mother's Day, one of the best dates for commerce in the year, and at the height of a mega promotion of imported goods on the border, the City of Foz do Iguaçu surprised everyone with the announcement of the closure of Avenida JK. The road under construction connects Vila Portes, Jardim Jupira and the North Region.

The protest by merchants was immediate. The schedule for blocking the avenue, which is essential to the city's mobility system, was postponed, according to the prefecture, not because of the appeals, but because the contracted firm did not deliver the emulsion for the pavement services.

This episode is yet another to evoke reflection on the problems involving the financing, management and execution of public works in Foz do Iguaçu. In general, these are addendums that inflate costs and generate delays, problems in projects and impacts on execution.

The Perimetral Leste, for example, underwent an addendum that increased the price and delayed delivery. The duplication of the Rodovia das Cataratas involves the uncertainty of a request for judicial recovery by the contractor and raises charges over the decision of a building in the face of a private investment.

The final phase of the flood control work in the Jardim São Paulo/São Luis region is limited to a sign announcing the service – which was never implemented, as promised by the previous administration. The floods continue. The overpass at the entrance to the city has cut off neighborhoods and has not completely solved the traffic bottleneck.

Perimetral, Rodovia das Cataratas and Avenida JK, for now, have in common mainly the disruption of public works in the lives of Foz do Iguaçu residents and tourists. Not infrequently, blockages generate questions about the planning, form and implementation of diversions and traffic containment.

The charge is due. Using the already questioned public transport service on the JK Avenue route under construction makes the trip even more inappropriate. What will be the image retained by visitors who travel the labyrinthine path that leads to the Iguaçu Falls?

There is no doubt that the disruptions of construction work will pass and, generally, the benefits of interventions will remain. However, it is indisputable that human knowledge in areas such as planning, management and engineering is an asset that must guarantee efficiency and economy. And strict delivery deadlines.