The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) in Paraguay has received three proposals for the implementation of Phase B works for the Pilar Coastal Defense Diversion Canal Project in Ñeembucú, Paraguay.

The three consortiums are:

1. Aguas de Pilar (Constructora Isacio Vallejos S.A. – Empresa de Construcciones EDIVI S.A.);
2. Consorcio Curupayty (DC Ingeniería S.A. – TR Construcciones S.A. – Constructora Heisecke S.A.);
3. Consorcio Pilar (Augusto Ortellado Narvaes – MM Sociedad Anonima – Sociedad Constructora Chaco S.A.).

The consortiums proposed offers ranging from PYG287.5 billion (US$40.9 million) to PYG361.1 billion (US$51.3 million) with an estimated investment of around PYG374.6 (US$53.2 million). The project is funded by a US$200 million Policy Based Loan (PBL) from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF).

The project involves the development of a 15 km Coastal Defense Diversion Canal, that intends to divert the water coming from the flooding of the Ñeembucú and San Lorenzo streams to the main channel of the Paraguay River. The project is developed in three phases:

• Phase A: This phase includes pumping stations with reservoirs, diversion channel of the San Lorenzo stream, storm drainage channels of the terminal, operation and maintenance of all the system for 3 years;
• Phase B: includes storm drainage works and a sanitary sewage system with an Effluent Pretreatment Plan;
• Phase C: construction of the coastal avenue and linear parks.