Design work for a new bridge spanning the Paraguay River should be complete in the next few months. The bridge will connect Asuncion and Chaco'I in Paraguay.
As Chaco'I lies close to the border with Argentina, the bridge will also be an important international link for Paraguay, helping to boost transport and trade between the two nations and developing the local economy.
Building the bridge will cost close to US$134 million, with preparatory works having already commenced. Much of the funding for building the 450m bridge will be supplied by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB).
A consortium, Consorcio Union, that comprises two Paraguayan companies is in charge of the project and this includes the design work. But the actual building work may be carried out by a Portuguese firm, Construgomes Engenharia.