MEXICO CITY, Sept. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — Spanish international news agency EFE reported on September 24 (local time) that Bolivia’s longest bridge was officially open to the public.
According to Bolivian President Evo Morales, who attended the Puente Banegas (Banegas Bridge) opening ceremony, the bridge cost 49.9 million U.S. dollars.
The Banegas Bridge is 1,440 meters long and stands atop the Grande River. It is linked to roads that stretch for 4,700 km, linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Over the past 35 months, the Hyundai Development Company and various South Korean construction firms took part in the building of the bridge under the authority of the Bolivian highway authorities.
The bridge is expected to have an immediate impact on transport, as previously travelers had to resort to a floating bridge to cross the Grande River. Initially taking two hours, a car ride across the bridge now takes only minutes.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)