1st Section of Dr. Enrique Pouey Ave. Open as Part of Canelones Road Project

The Intendancy of Canelones and its municipalities of 18 de Mayo, Las Piedras and Progreso have opened the first section of Dr. Enrique Pouey Avenue to traffic, as part of a road and water infrastructure project funded by CAF—development bank of Latin America.

The works are part of the Infrastructure Investment Plan advanced by the national government for the 2015-2019 period, which aims to improve trade logistics and transport, thus reinvigorating the economy. Some of the project’s goals are to improve mobility in the metropolitan area and connect the region with the rest of Uruguay.

The program includes the implementation of a series of infrastructure projects along a 40-kilometer stretch of road, with segments distributed across Canelones. The project also calls for walkway expansions, repaving and resurfacing, and ancillary works. To fund part of the project, authorities had signed a $20-million government-backed loan with CAF in August 2018.

The new stretch is located on Dr. Enrique Pouey Avenue between Paraguay and Colibrí Streets. The event was attended by Governor Yamandú Orsi, Mayors Nelson Alpuy, Gustavo González and Javier Petrocelli, and CAF representatives.  

“We at CAF would like to commend the Government of Canelones for its ability to carry out the road works,” said CAF Southern Region Projects Director Ángel Cárdenas. Cárdenas also emphasized the infrastructure projects’ goal to promote safer mobility across the country’s roads, enhance connectivity and trade logistics potential in Canelones, while fostering its relationship with the national road network, a fundamental tool for Uruguay’s growth and development.

Mayor Orsi then recalled the several infrastructure projects carried out by the local government and stressed the importance of the renovated section for Progreso residents. “We must look to the future,” Orsi said. “The landscape will keep changing because it needs to.” He also thanked CAF for their trust, as well as the companies and residents for their patience. “Let us visualize a much better future,” the mayor added.