| Work Detail |
Two contracts were signed: one, with the company Corporación del Sur SA, which will be in charge of carrying out the work, and the other, with the livestock producers in the area. The works will be carried out with exclusively provincial funds, plus the contribution made in the future by those who benefit from this project. Likewise, the work will allow the expansion of production to more than 400,000 hectares and 100 producers.
Governor Rodolfo Suarez signed the award to begin the works that the Monte Comán-La Horqueta aqueduct will require. This is a highly anticipated project by the cattle community of both San Rafael and La Paz. He was accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Planning and Public Infrastructure, Adrián Burgos.
The president of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Hugo Tornaghi, and the representative of the Livestock Cluster, Roberto Ríos, also participated.
The firm contemplated two agreements that will allow the start of the works that will supply drinking water to more than 434,580 hectares of a part of the Mendoza dryland. The first was signed with the construction company Corporación del Sur SA, which will carry out the work, and the second, with the agricultural producers of the area.
“We are keeping our word. It is a work that has been difficult to achieve, but thanks to the push it has come forward. It will be carried out with exclusively provincial funds, plus the contribution made in the future by those who benefit from this project”, explained the Governor at the beginning of his speech.
Suarez explained that the Monte Comán-La Horqueta aqueduct “means expanding production to more than 400,000 hectares and to 100 producers. It also represents generating wealth, genuine employment and growth for the South of Mendoza”.
Likewise, the provincial president made reference to the problems that the current macroeconomic situation entails to carry out this type of work. In this sense, he mentioned that “this happens with all public works. What begins with a price we do not know how much you end up paying. In fact, we tendered this work for $2,000 million and it is being awarded for $2,900 million.”
In addition, Suarez explained that "the effort we make to maintain an orderly State, with some fiscal surplus to have predictability, is what allows us to carry out this type of work." He highlighted that among another of the important points of the implementation of this project is the issue of water. “This is the fundamental element for the growth of the Mendoza economy. The problem of drought and scarcity is solved with infrastructure”, he indicated.
Suarez recalled that for some time the Government of Mendoza has been working together with Israels state water company on a study that will allow us to know not only "how we are going to grow, but also how we are going to obtain more water to progress in Mendoza”.
He added, by way of example, that another of the important works in this regard is that of El Baqueano, “which is going to give us another water reservoir. At this time, we are in the environmental study stage of the project. In addition, we are ready to achieve that energy has a tariff”.
In this way, he recalled that this issue is very important, since currently “in Argentina, energy is not invested if it is not paid for afterwards. We have achieved that this work has a price, with which it ends up being amortized and more hydroelectric projects can be carried out. This is the virtuous wheel we need”.
Meanwhile, Adrián Burgos, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure, explained that "the signing with the livestock producers consists of the sworn declaration of authorization of the right-of-way of the aqueduct and the adhesion to participate covering part of the amount of the construction site. They will repay it over up to 22 years. This agreement is a very good instance that we reached as a result of working together, understanding that the effort should not only be made by the provincial government”.
The president of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Hugo Tornaghi, said that from the entity he represents “we are happy, satisfied because it is a 20-year project. We know that it is a long time, but it must be recognized that a boost has been given by the livestock cluster”. He indicated that "this is a very important work in which 100 producers and 400,000 hectares will benefit."
Hugo Tornaghi added that the works “will promote and improve production, both in quality and quantity, and will make the sector very competitive. Therefore, good times are coming for livestock”. Finally, he emphasized the importance of the participation of the Livestock Cluster by indicating that "this is one more example that the public-private articulation works. We, from the camera, will always promote it. These types of works are what make San Rafael great.”
In this sense, the representative of the Livestock Cluster, Roberto Ríos, indicated that "this is a work that we have been trying to carry out for two decades and today it has already been completed, we are going one step further." Regarding the benefits of the project for the sector, he explained that “it helps the cow to have better digestion when eating that grass, with this fresh and transparent water. This makes the animal have a better body condition and may have better fertility. What does this better fertility translate into?: In having an increase in the reproductive rate, which is what we farmers are looking for”.
A key project for producers
The construction and operation of the aqueduct proposes a strategic distribution of water suitable for cattle drinking, which would improve the competitiveness of the livestock sector, increasing the productivity and sustainability of the exploitation that takes place north of the Diamante River and the National Route 146.
The work seeks to improve the socio-productive conditions of agricultural farms in the Monte Comán-La Horqueta area through an aqueduct made up of 291 kilometers of pipes, 31 terminals and 83 delivery points that will be supplied from a groundwater well and will be counted with a reservoir located in the vicinity of the intersection of Provincial Route 153 and National Route 146. The route of the trunk network will be along National Route 146 and from this there will be derivations towards the different branches provided by Provincial Route 205, Provincial Route 77 , Provincial Route 206 and Provincial Route 51.
The construction and operation of the aqueduct provides for a strategic distribution of water suitable for cattle drinking, which would improve the competitiveness of the livestock sector and increase the productivity and sustainability of the livestock farm.
The route of the trunk network will cross National Route 146, from where derivations will leave towards the branches provided by provincial routes 205, 77, 206 and 51. The pipelines will be supplied from an underground water well stored in a reservoir that will be located in the vicinity of Provincial Route 153 and RN 146.
The aqueduct will favor the use of pastures and will improve pregnancy and weaning rates due to incidence of water quality by more than 40%. In addition, it will reduce the maintenance costs of wells, mills, pumps and water sources, since, through the aqueduct, it will not be necessary to have these reserves constantly operating.
MONTE COMÁN LIVESTOCK AQUEDUCT – LA HORQUETA
Type of Work: Engineering Works
Client: SUBSECRETARIAT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Tender No: 24/2022-40
Place: Province of Mendoza
Opening date: 11/30/2022 at 10:00 AM
Official budget: $2,102,650,465.00
Award
SOUTH CORPORATION SA |
