The cost of the Bioceanic Route bridge, which will connect Carmelo Peralta in Paraguay to Puerto Murtinho in Brazil, has increased significantly during its construction. The mega-project, financed by Itaipu Binacional, has already reached approximately 90% completion and is expected to be finished in September.
The project was put out to tender by the Municipality of Carmelo Peralta in 2021, but contract administration was handled by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC). The binational consortium PY-BRA, formed by Tecnoedil Constructora SA, Cidade LTDA, and Paulitec Construções, won the bid with a proposal of G. 616.836 billion, equivalent to approximately US$ 104 million.
However, the total cost has risen to G. 684.615 billion (about US$ 116 million), representing an increase of nearly G. 68 billion (US$ 11.5 million). Neither the MOPC nor the contracting company has publicly detailed the reasons for the cost overrun.
According to official documents, the increase was due to additional works and services incorporated through a modification agreement. The interventions included the construction and maintenance of a 2.6 km access road, an additional widening at the bridge's end, and the adaptation of the structure to support 75-ton bitrem trucks.
Complementary works were also carried out, such as the installation of a customs compound on the Brazilian side, a pier for the Paraguayan Navy, improvements to the drainage system, and the installation of solar-powered lighting. Furthermore, the project received price adjustments totaling G. 116.363 billion (about US$ 19.7 million) due to inflation and increased material costs during construction.
Initially, construction began in mid-2022 with a 36-month deadline, anticipating completion for early 2025. The new forecast is for the bridge to be finalized in September.