Venezuela spends the oil money for bridges and development
November 13, 2006
The new bridge was named “Orinoquia”. No doubt that it is one of the unique structures built in Latin America within the previous decade. $1300 million were spent for the construction of the «Orinoquia». The design for the bridge was performed by Brazilian company “Norberto Odebrecht” that won the competition in 2000. The company started the construction two years ago.
The four kilometer concrete bridge arrow connects two banks of the river and allows four traffic lines in both ways. The central line of the bridge is reserved for the railway, which will connect the Bolivar state (borders with Brazil) and the Caribbean coast. Another railroad will cross Venezuela from East to West, from San Cristobal to Ciudad Guayana. Bolivarian government hopes that all this will boost agricultural and industrial development of the Northern states.
Orinoquia bridge will play eminent role in further integration of Venezuelan and Brazilian economic systems, will help to strengthen MERCOSUR positions on the north of the continent and without exaggeration make Brazil and the Caribbean countries closer.
The third bridge over Orinico is to be built. It is expected that president Chavez will lay the foundation of this structure. The same Brazilian company(“Norberto Odebrecht”) will perform the construction.