By The Star Staff
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia announced on Monday the completion of rehabilitation work on Jesús Izcoa Moure Cable-Stayed Bridge in Naranjito, which allowed the immediate opening of four lanes of roadway.
The repairs, which cost $33 million, were completed with combined funding from the Federal Highway Administration and the island Highways and Transportation Authority (HTA).
“This project has been an emblematic work of our administration,” the governor said at a press conference. “We accepted the challenge and took on the task of rehabilitating this important artery that positively impacts the quality of life of its users.”
Pierluisi was accompanied by Transportation and Public Works Secretary Eileen Vélez Vega, HTA Executive Director Edwin González Montalvo, and Naranjito Mayor Orlando Ortiz Chévres.
Pierluisi emphasized that the rehabilitation of road infrastructure is one of the priorities of his administration, as it improves the quality of life, the safety of citizens, and the environment for economic progress on the island.
“I know how important it is for our communities in the center of the island to have safe roads that keep them connected to their neighboring towns and the metropolitan area,” the governor said.
González Montalvo added that the project has been a priority since 2021 due to its complexity and the need for specialized technical support.
“We are very satisfied with the rehabilitation of the iconic bridge, which will now have two lanes in both directions, as originally conceived, which in turn will facilitate access for visitors and have a positive effect on the economy of the sector,” he said.
The work included the rehabilitation of the bridge slab, installation of a new layer of fine asphalt, repair of the 96 bridge stays, installation of security systems, and improvement of the lighting system, among other repairs.
Although the bridge was inaugurated in 2008, it was not until January 2023 that rehabilitation work began.
Comments