The Promised Life-Changing Solution: Circunvalación Norte
Circunvalación Norte was once a beacon of hope for many, with the potential to reduce daily commute times by 40 minutes. However, the once-promising project has been plagued by delays, leaving people increasingly frustrated.
A History of Delays: 1,563 Days and Counting
Over the past year, the government has offered numerous justifications for postponing the opening of Circunvalación Norte. The project is now 1,563 days behind schedule, with no definitive opening date in sight.
Fines and Blame: MOPT and the Construction Company
The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) insists that fines will be levied, but the construction company claims they are not at fault, citing unforeseen issues as the cause of the delays.
Pre-Construction Issues: Expropriations, Permits, and Designs
Before construction could even begin, the project faced a series of setbacks due to inefficient pre-engineering processes. It wasn’t until last year that these issues were finally resolved.
Bridge Lane Delay: The Missing Metallic Piece
The initial opening date was pushed back when a critical metallic piece required for one of the bridge lanes failed to arrive on time.
Vandalism and Fire: The June 2022 Setback
In June 2022, the MOPT minister announced a further delay to September after a pier of the bridge was vandalized by fire, causing damage to electrical cables and other components.
Supply Chain Issues: Security and Demarcation Barriers
The September opening was then postponed due to a lack of security and demarcation barriers, with authorities blaming the conflict between Ukraine and Russia for the disruption.
Asphalt Layer Defects: The March 2023 Delay
In 2023, it was announced that the project would be completed in April. However, yet another delay occurred in March when defects in the asphalt layers were discovered and needed correction.
Unsafe Electric Light Poles: The Latest Hurdle
The most recent setback involves the removal of 60 electric light poles due to faulty supporting bolts. Although not included in the original contract, these poles were donated and now pose a safety risk. Some argue for opening the road without lighting, but this could lead to accidents and additional problems.
As the Circunvalación Norte project continues to face setbacks, the question remains: when will this long-awaited infrastructure improvement finally be completed?
