Mexicali calls for expressions of interest for NADB paving project

The municipality of Mexicali in Mexico's Baja California Norte state is calling for expressions of interest for first-phase works of a US$26.7mn street paving program, the North American Development Bank ( NADB) announced. The program, known as the Air Quality Improvement and Street Paving Program (Pipca), will aim to pave more than 2.3M sq. m of streets in 18 months, in the five major border cities, including capital Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada, Tecate and Playas de Rosarito. Works will be funded by a loan from the Corporacion Financiera de America del Norte SA, the statement added, with the remainder to be covered by the federal, state and municipal governments. Three different contracts will be granted for paving works in Orizaba, Universitario and Gonzales Ortega, with expressions of interest due September 29. More information is available by phone, (52) 686 565 6140, 565 6294, or by fax, (52) 686 568 1209. Overall, the 4.5 year-multiphase program will pave a total 14.9M sq. m of roadways at a total cost of US$65.2mn, improving severe air quality problems in the border region. Completion is due for December 2007. Upon completion, state pavement coverage of urban streets is expected to increase to 80% from 60%, a previous NADB statement said. Baja California Norte has some 2.8 million residents.