After 10 years, the tender for the Canal del Dique opens

The Canal del Dique has been one of the most important river sections in Colombia since its construction in the 16th century in order to connect Cartagena de Indias with the Magdalena River. But, for more than a decade it has become an environmental disgrace.

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After multiple announcements since the tragedy of 2010, when the waters of the canal overflowed and caused the flooding of several municipalities in the north of Bolívar and the south of Atlántico, the National Government finally opened the tender for this important project in the country.

The plan aims, under a system of locks and gatesprevent the uncontrolled entry of large amounts of sediment that are the main cause of the current state of the channel. The two lock systems will be in Calamar and Puerto Badel.
Through this procedure, they will have “control of possible flooding along the canal, allowing active control over it,” the Casa de Nariño said in a statement. The execution of these works, as well as their respective maintenance, will be carried out through a concession that will have a term of 15 years.

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BID

However, after protocolizing 16 prior consultation processes with communities surrounding the project’s area of ​​influence and carrying out the respective procedures with the different state entities, the National Government published the final specifications of the bidding process for the river initiative PPP Restoration of Ecosystems Degraded Canal de Dique. This project will have investments of $3.1 billion and estimates the generation of 61 thousand jobs in the Caribbean region.

“The Canal del Dique is part of the country’s economic reactivation plan called Commitment to Colombia and will allow the protection of the Las Barbacoas maritime reserve, which is one of the most important assets that the country has for the world, it is an emblematic project (…) the resources are guaranteed and we are going to leave it awarded so that it becomes a reality in this Government”, expressed President Iván Duque.

The Canal del Dique megaproject plans to benefit, among other things, the transport of merchandise through its waters to the Caribbean ports, but also because it represented a relief to the problems of sedimentation and flood risks.

“Opening this tender is a great achievement not only for Colombians but also for the country that is fighting to combat the effects of climate change, since with this project we will improve the conditions of the Canal and its ecosystems, but in addition we will bring progress and quality of life because we are going to strengthen tourism and reactivate employment on the north coast of the country,” said Marta Lucía Ramírez, Vice President of the Republic.

On the other hand, through this project connections with Cienaga will improve and the restoration of the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park ecosystems.

In addition, “with the publication of the final specifications, we take an important step in terms of multimodal transport infrastructure, since we will strengthen navigability through the canal, but we will also benefit 19 municipalities in three departments through which the project passes,” said Ángela María Orozco. , transport minister.

Now, in line with the schedule, after the publication of the final specifications, the National Infrastructure Agency, will receive the offers of the possible interested partiesto later culminate with the award stage, which is estimated for July 21, 2022.

“This megaproject will be vital to optimize navigability and strengthen the transport of goods and people,” added Manuel Felipe Gutiérrez, president of the ANI.

PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
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