Mendoza launches Atuel Canyon bridge tender amid water disputes

In Mendoza, Argentina, the provincial government has launched a public tender for the construction of a new bridge-culvert in the Cañón del Atuel (RP 173). The project, budgeted at 980 million pesos, aims to replace a structure destroyed by a major flood on January 11, 2025. The new bridge will be 30 meters long and 6 meters wide, designed with larger sections to handle higher water volumes and prevent future transit disruptions in the tourist area.

Separately, the long-standing water dispute between the provinces of Mendoza and La Pampa regarding the Atuel River has seen renewed tension. A proposal was recently made to implement a 'punishment toll' for vehicles traveling through La Pampa to Mendoza as compensation for alleged economic and environmental damages caused by the river's diversion since 1947. The conflict remains a sensitive issue, with previous Supreme Court rulings establishing minimum flow requirements to manage the interprovincial waterway.