Support for Peruvian bridge evaluation study

(Lima, September 19, 2007).- A Non-Reimbursable Technical Cooperation Agreement to finance the “Structural evaluation of bridges and other structures by static and dynamic load tests” was today signed by CAF President and CEO Enrique García, and Peruvian Minister of Transport and Communications Veronica Zavala Lombardi.

The CAF president said that the technical cooperation agreement would cover, through Provías Nacional, the lack of information on the key bridges and other structures in the national road network. The ministry will than be able to formulate adequate and opportune integrated maintenance and repair policies sufficiently in advance to prevent premature deterioration.

“Approval of this technical cooperation continues CAF support for investments in transport infrastructure in Peru,” said the CAF head.

Minister Zavala thanked CAF for the permanent support for the sector. The agreement will develop a real-time early warning system to detect abnormal situations in the bridges, and potential structural damage.

The project – which will be supported by a competent internationally recognized company – includes developing technology transfer mechanisms so that trained technical staff from the ministry can take responsibility for routine tasks of monitoring and updating of the evaluations of the main bridges in the national road network.

Several Latin American countries have already implemented permanent dynamic monitoring of bridges and other structures using a real-time early warning system to detect abnormal situations related to overload and potential structural damage.

The Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications has been promoting a set of land infrastructure works with CAF support.