Residents and users are celebrating the announcement but remain cautious, as history shows that such projects have been announced many times but left unfinished. National Route 5 is a road used by millions of vehicles annually, including private and public transport, as well as national and international traffic. For this reason, there are ongoing demands for projects that will allow for safer and more peaceful travel. In this context, the National Government is advancing the second stage of the Federal Concessions Network and launching a national and international public tender for two new sections, one of which is eagerly awaited by tens of thousands of residents in Buenos Aires and La Pampa provinces who live in the cities of Luján, Mercedes, Suipacha, Chivilcoy, Alberti, Bragado, Nueve de Julio, Carlos Casares, Pehuajó, Trenque Lauquen, Pellegrini, Catriló, and Santa Rosa. The silent language that protects lives and promotes tourism on roads: what are the signals? The announcement was made by the Minister of the Economy of the Milei government, Luis 'Toto' Caputo, on his official X social media account, stating: 'The National Government is advancing the second stage of the Federal Concessions Network and launching a national and international public tender for two new sections,' one of which is National Route 5. Lack of maintenance is one of the constant complaints. Currently, the highway reaches Mercedes, although progress on the route is visible. Therefore, these works are fundamental not only because agricultural production is transported along it every year and international transit is constant, but also because thousands of lives are lost annually in accidents due to its narrow layout, deteriorated asphalt, poor signage, lack of maintenance, and ever-increasing traffic flow. In this context and within the framework of the announcement, the national official highlighted: 'In total, more than 1,800 km will be managed by the private sector. HIGHWAY NOW. Tired users are waiting'. This phrase was born from the frustration of thousands of residents and users across 13 districts connecting the West Access to the City of Buenos Aires with La Pampa, due to the incalculable and invaluable human losses that have occurred over the years on every kilometer of the 547 km stretch between the provincial and national capitals (Luján). Over four decades, governments have changed, but the people's demand remains the same: 'Route 5'. In this way, we are replacing a deficit-based model with one that is transparent, competitive, and without Treasury subsidies. And he concluded by saying: 'We are working to have a more modern road infrastructure, encouraging private investment while at the same time safeguarding the resources of Argentines'.
