Grupo Puentes has reached a new milestone in public infrastructure in Central America by starting the construction of the longest bridge in El Salvador, called General Manuel José Arce. The importance of this event was highlighted by the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, who on 25 November laid the first stone, making the start of the works official.
The General Manuel José Arce Bridge will be located at the end of Route CA02W over the Paz River, on the La Hachadura-Pedro de Alvarado border between El Salvador and Guatemala, in the department of Ahuachapán. It will be of great significance in facilitating commercial traffic between the two countries, and will benefit some 400,000 people.
Grupo Puentes is undertaking the project in a joint venture with DISA S.A. The La Hachadura bridge will be 256 metres long, with a span of 160 metres, the longest in El Salvador. It will span the Paz River, with a width of 20.3 metres, enough to accommodate four lanes, two in each direction.
The President of the Republic of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, travelled to the border point of La Hachadura on 25 November to lay the first stone. At the ceremony he said that “this new bridge, the longest in Salvadoran territory, totally modern, will not only facilitate rapid transit, but will also increase security”. The Salvadoran president added that “this will generate thousands of jobs in economic development and will also be a fundamental pillar for development”