Funds approved for road infrastructure improvement in Esmeraldas

(Quito, September 14. 2010).- CAF, Latin American development bank, signed a non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement with Esmeraldas municipality for preparation of studies and final designs to provide a road solution in the southern sector of the city. In addition, the pre-contract documents were prepared for construction of a road interchange.

The agreements were signed by Constance Calderón, CAF acting director-representative in Ecuador, and Esmeraldas Mayor Ernesto Estupiñán.

The urban structure of the city of Esmeraldas has serious problems such as squatter settlements which lack basic services, road infrastructure, and a coherent functional urban plan, which require integrated and timely solutions.

With execution of the project, Esmeraldas municipality expects to solve a large part of the city's traffic problems. In addition, the studies for the road interchange in the "Y" sector of El León will facilitate harmonious and integrated development in the urban area of the city, and in the tourism areas of some cantons such as Atacames and Muisne.

Esmeraldas to have five bridges to improve movement of traffic and people

A second non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement was signed with Esmeraldas prefecture to finance final studies for rehabilitation of some road sections and the designs of five bridges in the provincial road network. The signatories were Constance Calderón for CAF and Esmeraldas Prefect Lucia Sosa,.

The provincial government has decided to promote a process of road rehabilitation with the building of several bridges in key communities to improve movement in their areas of influence and promote the harmonious and integrated development of the inhabitants.

Calderón said, "with this technical cooperation for the studies, CAF continues to support the sustainable development of Esmeraldas province, in favor of sectors which were previously isolated, permitting transport of products to consumption centers and promoting economic development in the province."

The studies to be prepared relate to bridges over the rivers: Chipo, Piambola, Cupa, Arenanga, Achiote, and are part of the province's tertiary road system.