The Secretary of Urban Development of the Municipality of Concordia, Alejandro López, provided a detailed overview of the current state of public works in the city, within a national economic context that severely affects the availability of resources for municipalities.
Among the main works in progress, López highlighted the repaving of the southern access, in the section known as the “Y”, which connects the city with Route 22. This work, considered of great magnitude, was paralyzed due to a lack of national funding, but was recently reactivated thanks to a transfer agreement to the province of Entre Ríos, which assumed the commitment to finish it. “Work is being carried out intensely so that, in a few months, it will be completed. It includes repaving tasks, signage, guardrail installation, improvements in storm drains and lighting,” the official detailed in statements to Radio Ciudadana.
He also referred to the progress in the Costanera Nebel work, carried out by the Provincial Government. Although he clarified that it is not under municipal jurisdiction, he acknowledged its strategic importance for the city, given that it is an intervention on the riverbank that will improve the urban environment. He explained that the project consists of an original work with a high degree of progress and an extension towards the northern area, particularly on Chabrillón street, which had been postponed and is now regaining its momentum.
López was emphatic in remarking that a large part of the historical infrastructure of Concordia, from the water treatment plant to lighting and paving works, has been carried out with national and provincial funds. “The Municipality never had sufficient genuine funds to carry out large-scale works. Today that reality is worsening: the national programs that used to finance the bulk of public works in the city are no longer available,” he stated.
In this scenario, he acknowledged that the current administration has had to redirect its efforts towards small but urgent works, such as maintenance tasks, canal cleaning, weeding, lighting, and repair of storm drains, often with municipal resources and personnel. Examples of this are interventions at the mouth of the Concordia stream and the maintenance of different spaces.
“The drop in the municipality's genuine revenue exceeds 500 million pesos per month. This forces a deep readjustment of the entire municipal structure, especially the Urban Development area,” explained López, and added: “The public works sector is practically at a standstill. We are limited to very specific jobs that do not demand large expenditures.”
Faced with the impossibility of relying exclusively on provincial or national funds, the official warned about the need for a structural transformation. “We are in a change of era. What is coming is that Concordia will have to take charge of its own works. The national government will no longer send resources as it did before,” he said.
In this sense, he valued the implementation of programs such as “Mi Cuadra PROGR.E.S.S.A” which promotes shared financing with residents for the execution of works in their neighborhoods, and other initiatives that aim at corporate sponsorship of public spaces. However, he acknowledged that its impact is still limited due to the economic difficulties that a large part of the population is going through.
Finally, López made a call to civic awareness. “For Concordia to develop, we need more residents to accompany us with the payment of municipal taxes. We know that many make an immense effort, but it is essential to achieve a greater culture of fiscal responsibility in order to project a city that grows with its own, planned and sustainable works.”
Despite the adverse context, the Urban Development Secretariat continues to develop projects and management to be prepared when the situation improves. “We have to be creative, adapt to reality and look for new ways to sustain the urban growth of Concordia,” he concluded.
Among the main works in progress, López highlighted the repaving of the southern access, in the section known as the “Y”, which connects the city with Route 22. This work, considered of great magnitude, was paralyzed due to a lack of national funding, but was recently reactivated thanks to a transfer agreement to the province of Entre Ríos, which assumed the commitment to finish it. “Work is being carried out intensely so that, in a few months, it will be completed. It includes repaving tasks, signage, guardrail installation, improvements in storm drains and lighting,” the official detailed in statements to Radio Ciudadana.
He also referred to the progress in the Costanera Nebel work, carried out by the Provincial Government. Although he clarified that it is not under municipal jurisdiction, he acknowledged its strategic importance for the city, given that it is an intervention on the riverbank that will improve the urban environment. He explained that the project consists of an original work with a high degree of progress and an extension towards the northern area, particularly on Chabrillón street, which had been postponed and is now regaining its momentum.
López was emphatic in remarking that a large part of the historical infrastructure of Concordia, from the water treatment plant to lighting and paving works, has been carried out with national and provincial funds. “The Municipality never had sufficient genuine funds to carry out large-scale works. Today that reality is worsening: the national programs that used to finance the bulk of public works in the city are no longer available,” he stated.
In this scenario, he acknowledged that the current administration has had to redirect its efforts towards small but urgent works, such as maintenance tasks, canal cleaning, weeding, lighting, and repair of storm drains, often with municipal resources and personnel. Examples of this are interventions at the mouth of the Concordia stream and the maintenance of different spaces.
“The drop in the municipality's genuine revenue exceeds 500 million pesos per month. This forces a deep readjustment of the entire municipal structure, especially the Urban Development area,” explained López, and added: “The public works sector is practically at a standstill. We are limited to very specific jobs that do not demand large expenditures.”
Faced with the impossibility of relying exclusively on provincial or national funds, the official warned about the need for a structural transformation. “We are in a change of era. What is coming is that Concordia will have to take charge of its own works. The national government will no longer send resources as it did before,” he said.
In this sense, he valued the implementation of programs such as “Mi Cuadra PROGR.E.S.S.A” which promotes shared financing with residents for the execution of works in their neighborhoods, and other initiatives that aim at corporate sponsorship of public spaces. However, he acknowledged that its impact is still limited due to the economic difficulties that a large part of the population is going through.
Finally, López made a call to civic awareness. “For Concordia to develop, we need more residents to accompany us with the payment of municipal taxes. We know that many make an immense effort, but it is essential to achieve a greater culture of fiscal responsibility in order to project a city that grows with its own, planned and sustainable works.”
Despite the adverse context, the Urban Development Secretariat continues to develop projects and management to be prepared when the situation improves. “We have to be creative, adapt to reality and look for new ways to sustain the urban growth of Concordia,” he concluded.