The PY08 highway, a strategic corridor for production outflow in northern Paraguay, has again reached an alarming state. Nearly four months after the official announcement of resurfacing works, services have not started and the potholes – many of them large – have reappeared, turning the road into a trap for drivers.
The critical stretch is 151 kilometers, between Calle 6000 (San Pedro) and Azotey (Concepción). The company Talavera y Ortellado Construcciones SA (TOCSA), responsible for the project, had made a temporary repair on the most deteriorated points, but the work did not hold. Over time, the potholes returned and, in districts such as Liberación and Santa Rosa del Aguaray, the shoulders simply disappeared, leaving drivers with no margin for maneuver.
“It’s a huge danger again, especially at night,” said Fernando Basualdo, a truck driver who uses the road daily. He reported that after the temporary patching, the danger returned and asked authorities to find a definitive solution. “We hope what the government announced, which is the total resurfacing of this route, will be fulfilled,” he added.
In recent days, new accidents have been recorded on the stretch, increasing tension among transporters and residents. TOCSA workers reported that the person in charge of the work is in Asunción and will only return next week, which makes it difficult to obtain clarifications about the schedule. The contract provides for 24 months of execution, but the absence of machinery and activity on site creates uncertainty about meeting the deadline.
Meanwhile, the PY08 continues to deteriorate, putting at risk hundreds of users who depend on this road for cargo transport and daily commuting.