Asunción, Agencia IP.- The works on the Bioceanic bridge that will unite the cities of Carmelo Peralta and Puerto Murtinho, Brazil, are taking impulse with the execution of the foundations, pillars, lintels and heads in both margins of the Paraguay River.
The works involve over 500 professionals among Paraguayans and Brazilians, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC, by its acronym in Spanish).
Regarding the tasks performed, the engineer of production of the contractors, Pedro Martínez, informed us that on the Brazilian side, the foundations are ready; likewise, on the Paraguayan side, the heads are now starting the construction of the pillars,
Martínez said that on the Brazilian side, the last three heads from the cable-stayed part are being worked on, and progress is also being made quickly with the pillars.
Meanwhile, on the Carmelo Peralta side, the lintels of the viaduct of access are being done. In contrast, the first one started on the other side of the river. He added that on the Paraguayan side, the foundation of the central tower is already finished and that currently started executing the pillars and then continued with the heads.
Another novelty refers to the beginning of the assemblage of a crane tower on the Paraguayan side, which will support the execution of the work. It is 130 meters high with a radius of 40 meters and a capacity of 2,500 kilos at the top.
“This crane tower will help as a support for uploading and downloading materials for the tools we use and for the upper part of the bridge itself when the main tower has to be loaded. Another of the same characteristics will be set afterwards, on the Brazilian side”, claimed Martínez.
High-quality concrete
For his part, the Production Manager, Carlos Fleitas, highlighted the production process and the high quality of the concrete used. In this sense, he said they count on two manufacturing plants and a qualified laboratory, in addition to working with an external concrete consultancy, since it requires different characteristics and dosages.
“The concrete requires extreme care, the most qualified possible. Because the weather, especially the heat, affects its elaboration. That is why we work with an elite staff to guarantee its quality”, remarked.
The bioceanic bridge – which registers over 35% of the general advance – is financed by the Binational Itaipú (Paraguayan side) and will be the main link of the Bioceanic route. It will have an extension of 1.294 meters divided into three sections: Two will construct the access viaducts in both margins of the river, and another will correspond to the cable-stayed part of 632 meters, with a central span of 350 meters.
The PYBRA Consortium, made up of Tecnoedil S.A., Paulitec and Construtora Cidade, is in charge of execution with the supervision of the Prointec Consortium; all this is under the management of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC).