In the late 1990s, an idea took shape to build a bridge connecting Argentina and Uruguay. The project, initiated by the governments of Carlos Menem in Argentina and Julio María Sanguinetti in Uruguay, was supposed to be ready to start construction by the end of 1998 but never materialized due to numerous obstacles.
The bridge between Buenos Aires and Colonia in Uruguay was expected to shorten the distance between Montevideo and Buenos Aires by 150 km and between Colonia and Buenos Aires by 215 km. It would also foster local development in the areas closest to the bridge.
Although all necessary engineering, environmental, and financial studies were completed with the help of the World Bank, the project remained on paper. However, it has recently been reported that the Argentine government is considering reviving the initiative. Companies Sors SA and Luis Losi SA have presented the Argentine Ministry of Economy with a project for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a new "International Bridge Brazo Largo (Argentina) – Nueva Palmira (Soriano Department, Uruguay)".
The investment is estimated at 310 million dollars, with an initial operation period of 30 years. The bridge's height will be 65 meters to allow the frigate Libertad to pass underneath.
While the old bridge project is being discussed, Buquebús, the company that operates ferries between the countries, is facing difficulties. Recently, an Argentine court ordered the company to compensate nearly 1,200 passengers for a significant delay on a 2013 voyage, which led to a class-action lawsuit. This adds to the company's challenges as it also prepares to launch its new ferry, the "China Zorrilla", set to be the world's largest passenger electric ferry.
