Cosse akin to receiving and studying the tram project between Montevideo and Canelones

2023-06-10 00:01:22

Tram in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador.

The Uruguayan government has given its approval to a private initiative that seeks to implement a tram to connect Plaza Independencia, in Montevideo, with El Pinar, in the department of Canelones. This news has caused surprise in the two municipalities involved, that of Montevideo and that of Canelones, generating different reactions and raising questions about the future of this mobility project.

Both the head of the capital, Carolina Cosse, and her Canary Islands counterpart, Yamandú Orsi, expressed surprise because the government of Luis Lacalle Pou was not previously consulted or informed that they were advancing with this idea and that it would be made public.

While from the capital commune they affirm that the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MTOP) has not yet formally presented any project to the Municipality, in Canelones there is a greater receptivity towards the initiative. But Cosse was willing to receive and study the project.

The Municipality of Montevideo claims that the MTOP has not responded to the proposal they presented in April 2021 for the construction of a new metropolitan mobility corridor. This corridor would include various connections, such as Montevideo, Las Piedras and Progreso, as well as the axis of Avenida 8 de Octubre to Pando, among others.

So far, the Municipality of Montevideo has not formally received the project

Regarding the project presented by private parties, Carolina Cosse expressed the need to study it in various aspects. She considers it essential to analyze the best technology available for the implementation of the tram, as well as to minimize the environmental impact both in Montevideo and in the metropolitan area.

The mayor raises questions about the need to carry out excavations or affect the streets of the city and if the investment should be exclusively private or if it could count on the participation of the departmental and national governments. In addition, she stresses the importance of being cautious with the use of public resources.

It is important to mention that up to now the private project has not been formally presented to the Municipality of Montevideo. Instead, they were asked to meet and shown a preview presentation. Cosse makes it clear that he is not bothered by this situation, since he considers that it is necessary to study any proposal seriously before making important decisions.