Bolivia's public works ministry is looking to spend more than US$728mn in 2011, of which 71% will go towards building and repairing highways, state news agency ABI reported.

 

The ministry's main projects include building the Corredor Bioceanico highway, which will connect Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, and completing the 433km Potosi-Tarija highway, running through Potosi, Tarija and Chuquisaca departments.

 

Other works involve the construction of the 1.74bn-boliviano (US$248mn) La Paz-Oruro highway, as well as the Oruro-Cochabamba and Cochabamba-Santa Cruz highways.

 

The ministry is also scheduled to build the Corredor Oeste-Norte highway, connecting La Paz with Rurrenabaque and Riberalta, followed by the Corredor Sur highway, connecting Paraguay-Tarija-Potosi and Chile.

 

Airport projects include new terminals in Oruro, Chimore and Copacabana, as well as the modernization of Cobija airport.

 

Of the ministry's total projected spending for 2011, 17% will be used for improving telecommunications, and the remaining 12% will go to housing.