New infra projects lined up for Honduran capital in 2017

Some 14 new infra projects will be built in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, during 2017, according to local mayor Nasry Asfura.

The government has already awarded the contracts to carry out the majority of these projects, the mayor of Honduras' central district, a municipality hosting the cities of Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela, was reported as saying by daily El Heraldo.

The projects that have already been awarded include the construction of a tunnel and an elevated lane in the capital's Honduras neighborhood; the opening of an exit road to the existing Estocolmo bridge, which will serve to connect the Estado Nacional sector; an overpass in the América neighborhood; two more road tunnels in different parts of the capital; and another overpass in Tegucigalpa's Loma Linda neighborhood.

Tenders for seven of the remaining projects will be launched within the 20 first days of January, according to the mayor. These projects include an overpass in the Reforma neighborhood, the second and third stage of construction of a highway over the Choluteca River, a tunnel in the Kennedy neighborhood, an overpass in the Colonia Número Uno neighborhood and an elevated overpass to connect the Casa Presidencial sector.

In addition, the local administration is also planning to build two additional overpasses in different areas of the city, as well as to extend the capital's sixth avenue.

According to the mayor, this year will also see the completion of works forming part of the first stage of eight projects launched in 2016, which will be followed by the start of construction of the projects' second phase.

"What we are going to do this year will be very different from the works we did in 2016. These 14 upcoming projects will reflect the confidence the taxpayers have in this administration," Asfura was quoted as saying by the paper.

In November last year, the government of Honduras' central district announced that the works to build the Trans-450 BRT system in Tegucigalpa had been canceled. Cancelation of the project was allegedly related to the decision to prioritize other infrastructure works that could ease traffic in the capital and the neighboring city of Comayagüela.