Montes del Plata opens Route 55 extension and Route 21 interchange
Colonia, 25 November 2013.

Top officials the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, Montes del Plata and contractors working at the mill were present to inaugurate roadway works that provide direct access the Punta Pereira mill to Route 21.

The project includes a 12 km extension of national Route 55, a grade separation interchange to provide disruption-free traffic along Route 21 and lighting of the intersection.

Montes del Plata General Manager Erwin Kaufmann emphasized that Uruguay has had a consistent strategy to attract investment, which has become a government policy. "Attracting investment is not an easy process.  In this globalized world, countries compete to attract investment, not just with countries in the region but with the rest of the world.  Uruguay is aware that incoming investments must be sustainable and meet their main objective of truly contributing to the country" he stated.
Kaufmann spoke about Montes del Plata`s commitment in Uruguay:  a USD 2,000 million direct investment for its pulp mill, USD 700 million in forestry plantations, USD 18 million for a new nursery in Fray Bentos and over USD 15 million in barges built by the Uruguayan Naval Cluster, among others.

 
The company´s general manager noted that Route 55 was a key aspect of this project. It was in the way we presented the project to national and departmental officials.  And it was seen in a positive light because the measure was aimed at handling the increase in traffic on the highway and took into account the implausibility  of doing so along existing roads given their condition and the fact that they went through populated areas,he added.
Uruguay, on an upward trend and with steady economic growth, now faces the challenges inherent to development.  With long-standing clear and stable rules, officials who truly enforce the rules and agreements that provide clarity in terms of obligations and rights of both sides, the country will see many more productive investments," concluded Kaufmann.

In turn, Transportation and Public Works Minister Enrique Pintado underscored the importance of the public-private partnership to complete the new section of this highway, "which made this investment a reality and will benefit not only the investors but the people of Uruguay as well."
Pintado noted that, along with the detours of heavy traffic in Pando and Dolores, the extension of Route 55 represents an actual increase in paved roadway surfaces in the country. "This contribution is not aimed at just reaching a port, but doing so by bypassing an entire town, thus respecting local identities, which are very important," he stated.

In conclusion, Pintado referred to the arrival of new investments. "We must shift a centralized model that is based on the port of Montevideo towards a model that brings the Brazilian border and the Uruguay River together, so that Uruguay can become the point of communications between Santiago, Chile and Santos. As Uruguayans, in our immediate future is the possibility of taking large strides towards national development" stated Pintado. 

Significant investment in roadways

Several companies were in charge of carrying out these works.  Together, they employed an average of 150 people throughout the 27 months of construction.
The interchange increases safety for light traffic circulating on Route 21.  Shortly after the viaduct was finished, the existing curve was widened and the entire intersection was illuminated.  All of these measures further contribute to improving safety in area traffic.
Concrete paving was ed and the best available technologies were employed. The concrete paver imported by the Colier construction company especially for this project is currently the most modern piece of equipment for this type of undertaking.
Montes del Plata illuminated Route 21 at the crossings over the San Juan River and the Miguelete Creek and at the merger with Camino de la Palmera.
The total cost of the project (including planning, studies, lab tests, expropriations and construction) was USD 28 million and was paid for by Montes del Plata.