A double lane highway to improve connectivity between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz

With financing from CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, and the execution of the Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC) (Bolivian Highway Administration), two works were completed, improving connectivity between the departments of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz: the construction of the Sacaba-Chiñata dual highway, and the rehabilitation of the asphalt in the Sacaba-Colomi tranche. Both highways total 40 Km. in length. 

The works will strengthen the country's integration and internal communications, and promote productive, tourism, and commercial activities in two departments with enormous development potential. They will also generate economic benefits such as the reduction in the cost of operation of the vehicles that use it, lower travelling times for users and load, less accidents, and greater highway safety. 

The financial institution's loan for the construction of the first tranche (7.4 Km.) was USD 17.2 million, complemented by USD 7.6 million from the OPEP Fund for International Development (OFID), in addition to USD 9 million from the national counterpart. The proposal included the improvement of the existing pavement, and the construction of an additional lane on each side of the road. 

For the 33.7 Km. Sacaba-Colomi tranche, CAF approved USD 7.9 million, which added to the USD 3.05 million contributed by the local counterpart, completed the investment. This highway is part of the program Puesta a Punto, supported by CAF, which includes the rehabilitation and improvement of eight tranches of the Red Vial Fundamental (RVF) (Essential Highway Network), which was deteriorated and required urgent intervention.