The presidential spokesperson Adrián Ravier highlighted this Tuesday the progress of three strategic infrastructure projects that the Government of Javier Milei is promoting through private investment.
These include the concession of national routes, the privatization of the freight railway system, and the development of Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS).
During his presentation, Ravier linked these initiatives to the need to reduce Argentine costs, particularly logistical costs.
Adrián Ravier
“To make Argentina great again, we need everything that is being done: to recover a sound currency, to regain open markets to place our production, to deregulate to end so much bureaucracy, and, among many things, we need to reduce Argentine costs,” he explained.
The official also stated that the country must improve its transportation infrastructure. In this regard, he affirmed that “in recent decades we have made a mess with national routes. We have been left without trains, without railways.”
The Federal Concessions Network
One of the main announcements mentioned was the recent awarding of 3,900 kilometers of routes to the private sector, corresponding to stage 3 of the Federal Concessions Network. This process completes the concession of more than 9,000 kilometers of national routes.
“The Federal Concessions Network is a system through which more than 9,000 kilometers of national routes are granted to the private sector. This means that the operation, maintenance, and administration of these routes will be the responsibility of private entities, to whom the toll is granted. The objective is to rehabilitate road infrastructure, improve safety, reduce logistical costs, and strengthen competitiveness through 100% private investment,” Ravier detailed.
Adrián Ravier
The network consists of 16 strategic sections, through which nearly 80 percent of the country's traffic circulates. The third stage includes eight sections that cross 11 provinces and completes the more than 9,000 kilometers contemplated. The projected investment reaches USD 13.970 billion and, by September, all those kilometers will be under construction.
Privatization of the railway system
The second focus pointed out by the spokesperson was the concession of the freight railway system. The Milei Government called for a national and international public tender to grant the Belgrano, San Martín, and Urquiza lines for 50 years.
The network has 7,594 kilometers of operational tracks and 15,305 kilometers of total tracks, crosses 16 provinces, and has connections with Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The scheme includes transferring the operation, maintenance, and investments to the private sector under an open access regime.
“We seek to change that model. The goal is to recover a railway network that is currently deteriorated but can become a growth engine, reduce logistical costs, and make our exports more competitive. This call is a historic milestone and is the first step to recover a freight railway network that is up to the Argentina that is coming,” Ravier stated.
Project in Vaca Muerta
Finally, the official highlighted the progress of Vaca Muerta Oil Sur, a project that has already reached 80% completion. “Today it is already 80% advanced. The total investment exceeds 2.9 billion dollars and, once operational, it will generate oil exports of more than 15 billion dollars annually,” he affirmed.
The pipeline will be over 450 kilometers long and will connect the productive area of Neuquén with the Atlantic coast of Río Negro. The export terminal represents the remaining 20 percent of the project and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Once operational, the system will allow the export of more than 500,000 barrels of crude per day.
