Local and regional authorities from Paraguay and Argentina resumed discussions on Monday (19) regarding a new bridge over the Paraná River. The international route would connect Puerto Triunfo (Paraguay) and Puerto Rico (Argentina).
Read also
Ferry crossing between Paraguay and Argentina advances to new stage
According to the newspaper The territory, the meeting took place in the city of Puerto Rico. For now, the discussion is at the subnational level, with the movement's leaders seeking to expand political articulation in both countries.
The border between Puerto Triunfo and Puerto Rico is about 180 kilometers south of Foz do Iguaçu. A bridge there would shorten the distance between the department of Itapúa (Paraguay), the province of Misiones (Argentina) and Rio Grande do Sul.
“In a stretch of 100 kilometers, we will be able to unite three states: Itapúa, Misiones and Rio Grande do Sul,” said Puerto Rico Mayor Carlos Koth. “This will enrich Misiones.”
In the location proposed by the Paraguayan and Argentine authorities, the Paraná River is approximately 600 meters from one bank to the other. The region has a large agricultural production, which could add economic viability to the project.
Currently, the closest international bridge to Puerto Rico and Puerto Triunfo is the ever-congested San Roque González de Santa Cruz. The road-rail bridge connects the cities of Encarnación (Paraguay) and Posadas (Argentina).
Representatives from city halls, the province of Misiones, the department of Itapúa and parliamentarians from both countries were present at the meeting in Puerto Rico.
Electricity agreement between Paraguay and Argentina
Also on Monday (19), Paraguay and Argentina signed a new agreement regarding the energy produced by the Yacyretá binational plant.
According to the document, Argentina will have the right to regularly use up to 85% of the 3.100 megawatts of installed capacity of the hydroelectric plant, located on the Paraná River. The tariff was set at US$28 per megawatt-hour for both countries.
