Bidding for New Bridge in
Ribadesella to Start in 2008

Budget calls for $5.4 Million (U.S.)

The Principality of Asturias has budgeted 3,8 million Euros for the construction of a new bridge for the N-634 across the Sella river in Ribadesella, with bidding for the project expected to take place, according to anonymous sources in the Roads and Infrastructures Dept., in the initial months of 2008. Until the recent local election, the administration of Ribadesella (PP-conservative) and the government of the Principality (PSOE - socialist) belonged to opposing political camps. Approval of any plans for a new bridge in Ribadesella were held up for over ten years in Oviedo, to give time for "appropriate environmental review". The PSOE won a surprise upset victory in the local elections in Ribadesella four months ago. Since then state authorites have been more cooperative, and a positive environmental impact statement was drawn up in September, removing one of the last hurdles before the construction of a new bridge.