12 June, 2012
Montes del Plata opens first section of Route 55
Project will prevent heavy traffic through ConchillasMontes del Plata has inaugurated the first 4.5 kilometer section of the total 12 kilometers it will build for the Route 55 extension.
The decision to begin with the center `Conchillas bypass` section of the extension is in response to the company`s commitment to prevent heavy traffic through the town, a responsibility assumed along with the national and departmental governments and with the local community in particular.
The project will continue with a 2.5 kilometer section that will connect this first section to the mill being built in Punta Pereira. Lastly, a 5.1 kilometer stretch will connect the center section to Route 55. In parallel, a grade separated interchange is being built for routes 55 and 21 to improve safety for this intersection. The company invested USD 6.5 million for the recently opened section.
Montes del Plata general manager Erwin Kaufmann said, we are pleased to see this stage of the project completed because it manifests Montes del Plata`s continual commitment to the community, as well as the importance of working together with national officials and officials Colonia. Kaufmann noted that the new access road to the mill will prevent trucks going through Conchillas, helping to significantly reduce the impact on urban infrastructure and (improve) the safety of the people. In addition, Montes del Plata established the use of a bi-modal transport system for wood, intensifying river transport whenever possible. As such, the impact on highways is reduced by reducing the flow of heavy traffic. Colonia Intendant Walter Zimmer highlighted the support that Montes del Plata is providing the area with this project. It is really important for the State thank the company because it is complying with the various stages and I am totally convinced that, since we started talking with the company, Montes del Plata has met its commitments and has always been there to offer social contributions, he stated. Zimmer also said that the inauguration of this first section enables Conchillas to continue being National Historical Heritage and that it will prevent accidents. Meanwhile, National Topography Director Jorge Franco said that for the Ministry of Transport and Public Works these changes are very important. It was done in record time. So we were able to show that it could be finished within Montes del Plata`s timeframe.
During the months of work, the company along with local officials took various measures to minimize the impact of the trucks traveling around the perimeter of the town of Conchillas, hiring traffic inspectors to facilitate and control vehicle circulation in key points.In addition, efforts were made to increase the awareness of drivers of the company and of outsourced companies. Roadway safety events in Conchillas were also organized.
The project
The extension of Route 55 is a project being carried out by Montes del Plata in an agreement with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MTOP). Construction began in August 2011 after the completion of the expropriation process. The highway will extend the intersection with Route 21 to the Punta Pereira Free Zone entrance. The project is expected to be completed by March 2012 approximately. Montes del Plata held a bid to award this undertaking in which a group of top Uruguayan companies won. COLIER is the main contractor for the construction of the highway, while CIEMSA will build the interchange with Route 21 and CABLEX is installing lighting for the junction area.The ed construction technique (concrete pavement) features the best technology available in the country and is already proven with the recent construction of the Montevideo ring road.
