Amid the adjustment implemented by Javier Milei’s government, national public works continue to be the biggest loser. This time, the Executive decided to pass the ball to the province of Santa Fe and transfer management of the strategic National Highway A012, a vital corridor for freight transport and agro-industrial exports. The agreement will be signed this Thursday at Casa Rosada, with the presence of the Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei; Chief of Staff, Diego Santilli; Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo; and the governor of Santa Fe, Maximiliano Pullaro.
This is the first comprehensive transfer of a national highway to a province since the libertarian administration took office. Until now, negotiations with various districts had remained promises, but the urgency due to the deterioration of the corridor and the total paralysis of national works finally sealed the agreement. «The decision to take charge was made in the face of the paralysis of national public works and the progressive deterioration of the corridor, a situation that generated repeated complaints from business entities, communes, municipalities, and transport chambers,» argued the Santa Fe government.
National Highway A012 surrounds the metropolitan area of Rosario and is key for the movement of trucks transporting grains, flours, and oils. According to data from the Rosario Stock Exchange, about 80% of the country’s exports in the sector pass through there. Its route connects national and provincial highways, preventing thousands of heavy vehicles from crossing urban areas. However, the nation’s neglect had turned it into a real headache for producers and transporters.
The agreement establishes that Santa Fe will assume for 20 years the administration, maintenance, and execution of works on the A012, with its own resources. The provincial government has already announced that the first interventions will begin as soon as the agreement is signed, with pothole filling, road recovery, road safety improvements, and works to optimize heavy traffic. Pullaro had insisted on several occasions on the need to take control of the highway to prevent more accidents and delays.
The national government’s decision to divest from public works is not new. Since the beginning of his administration, Milei made it clear that provinces or private entities should take charge of highways and road projects. He even opened voluntary retirements at Vialidad Nacional, the agency in charge of roadways, which is currently in conflict with the central administration. At Casa Rosada, there is optimism that new agreements with other provinces will be signed soon, although there are no concrete dates yet.
The issue of highways has been a key topic in meetings between Santilli and governors. Meanwhile, Casa Rosada is accelerating contacts to advance other parliamentary projects, such as the possible elimination of primary elections ahead of next year’s elections. But what is clear is that with this transfer, the national government washes its hands and leaves in Santa Fe’s hands a highway that is strategic for the country’s trade and production.
para mi milei le esta pasando el trapo a los zurdos de siempre santa fe se hace cargo de la ruta menos estado mas libertad los k chorros van a llorar pero esto es federalismo de verdad carajo viva la libertad carajo 💪🚛
kjjjj para mi milei le pasa la pelota a santa fe y se lava las manos como siempre un desastre total pullaro es un vendepatria igual q karina esto huele a privatizacion encubierta de rutas mientras recortan derechos ni un paso atras carajo