Pres. to Sign Renegotiated North Access Contract

Argentina's President Fernando de la Rua and economy minister Jose Luis Machinea will sign in the next few days the renegotiated concession contract with concessionaire Autopistas del Sol for Buenos Aires' North Access highway, Clarin (Argentina) reported. The new contract includes additional investment of US$65mn in 2001 and an increase in tolls of up to 26% in 2002 to finance this investment. The concession period will also be extended four years to 2020, from 2016. Major works include the widening of the General Paz section of the highway, with five lanes entering the city and four going out, and the construction of a third lane on the Campana and Pilar feeder roads. Also, Autopistas del Sol will be responsible for the repaving of provincial routes 25 and 26, and the construction of a bridge over Buenos Aires' Riachuelo waterway. Autopistas del Sol is made up of Argentina's Macri group, Spain's #Dycasa# and Italy's #Impregilo#.