Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies approved a loan of US$75 million from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). The funds will be to improve the national roads system. The money is destined to pave 160 kilometres of internal roads, and for the construction of 120 metres of bridges. The Executive Committee still has to vote for its promulgation.
Claudia Centurión, Minister of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), highlighted that the funding will allow new quality roads to many departments, including: Canindeyú, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones and San Pedro. She also stated that the project aims to improve the connectivity and quality of life of Paraguay’s rural communities. This, she stated, will allow their entrance to the markets and decreasing the isolation of numerous communities.
Territorial integration
MOPC’s Head underlines that working on the national roads system helps the competitiveness of rural productive communities and promotes territorial integration. “We are connecting this route network that at the same time is a social network that puts together our departments throughout the country”, Minister Centurión added.
Many communities in Paraguay will benefit from the project such as Manduará, from Alto Paraná; Itanará, from Canindeyú, and Natalicio Talavera, from Guairá. San Pedro Poty and San Estanislao from San Pedro will also benefit from the upgrades, MOPC stated. Fram, San Dionisio and General Artigas, from Itapúa; and Santa Maria de Fe, from Misiones will also be included in the project.
Sebastián Remezowski, Deputy from Itapúa: “Routes always reunite, especially the ones built in the departments we represent. All the communities will thank the support”.
National roads system current work
The government is working on other projects to improve the national roads system. The Integration Bridge (Puente de la Integración) is due to open by mid-December 2025. The long-awaited structure will connect the city of Presidente Franco in Paraguay with Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. This connection will creating a new route for trade, tourism, and regional cooperation across the Triple Frontier.
MOPC is currently focusing on the critical sections of roads PY 01 and 02 as well. Several areas identified as accident-prone, particularly at city entrances and exits are facing renewals. Routes PY 01 and 02 (Mariscal Francisco Solano López and Mariscal José Félix Estigarribia respectively) are two of the busiest ones in the country.
