The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a new project in Bolivia aimed at enhancing climate risk management in the road sector and improving the resilience and safety of bridges and highways. The initiative comes as Bolivia, ranked tenth on the Global Climate Risk Index, faces significant damage from extreme weather events such as high temperatures and heavy rainfall, leading to landslides and flooding.
The US$118.5 million loan will support the Road Sector Climate Resilience Program, benefiting over 165,000 residents in Chimoré and Ivirgarzama (Cochabamba), Guanay (La Paz), and Monteagudo (Chuquisaca). Additionally, it will aid pedestrians and drivers of approximately 9,000 public and private vehicles using these roads daily.
Public servants from national agencies involved in road asset management and safety, including the Bolivian Highway Administration (ABC), will receive training on infrastructure vulnerability and climate change mitigation.
"The World Bank has global experience in the transport sector and in improving road infrastructure to make it safer and more climate resilient. That experience has demonstrated that when roads and bridges are built using a resilient approach, we are safeguarding the lives and well-being of users and nearby populations and avoiding reconstruction costs for the country,” said Camille Nuamah, World Bank resident representative in Bolivia.
The project comprises two main components: institutional development for climate risk management in Bolivia’s road sector, including a comprehensive assessment of climate risks; and implementation of three subprojects developed with a climate disaster resilience approach to reduce potential incidents on key sections of the Red Vial Fundamental:
- The Chimoré-Ivirgarzama section (32 km) will be expanded to two lanes with a new bridge, access ramps, drainage ditches replacement, and construction of access routes.
- The 200-meter Guanay section will focus on minimizing climate vulnerability and maximizing road safety.
- The III Molino-Monteagudo section (13 km) will see rehabilitation of an existing road section along with a new rural bypass to avoid urban areas prone to landslides.
At least half of the funds at the municipal level will address priorities defined by local women to promote economic empowerment, social inclusion, and prevent gender-based violence.
The loan is provided by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) with a 25-year maturity period including a 14-year grace period.