World Bank approves road rehabilitation loan in Honduras

The World Bank has approved an additional US$ 25 million to rehabilitate and improve Honduran roads damaged during the Tropical Storm No. 16, which hit the country in October last year.

The new loan compliments the US$ 48.6 million the World Bank granted the country in mid-2008 for road rehabilitation following a severe Tropical Storm season during 2008, according to Rebeca Santos, Minister of Finance.

The first credit will be used to improve 200 km of roads, while supplementary funds will be for repairing additional 515 km of roads in areas "impacted by the storm", said a statement from the bank, including the improvement and rehabilitation of the Tegucigalpa to Danli, La Entrada to Copan Ruins, La Entrada to Sta. Rosa de Copan and Ocotepeque, and the Santa Rita Yoro road.

Commenting on the loans, Laura Frigenti, the World Bank's country director for Central America, said, "Sixteen bridges ruined by the storm will be reconstructed or entirely replaced. Additionally, secondary roads will be maintained and while supporting the efforts made by the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation to increase transparency so as to align the country's annual operating, budget and public procurement plans with the Sector Plan to be adopted by the end of 2010."