The Argentine Republic and the Federative Republic of Brazil agreed to a temporary extension of the International Concession Contract for the Santo Tomé – São Borja International Bridge and Related Infrastructure, which connects the city of Santo Tomé (Corrientes, Argentina) with São Borja (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), and whose expiration was scheduled for August 29, 2025.
The bilateral agreement, formalized by exchange of reverse notes, entered into force on August 26, 2025, as published today (28.08.2025) in the Official Gazetteas the “bilateral instrument that did not require legislative approval”.
La The extension is precarious and temporary for 31 days.Between the August 29 and September 29, 2025, con el objetivo de Ensure the continuity of public service and avoid interruptions in the border complex. This term may be extended for up to 90 additional days, always under the same conditions of the "Extension Agreement of July 19, 2021.”
According to “Notice of Tender Document No. 01/2025 – Tender Document No. 01/2024,” the concession includes the international bridge, its access roads, and the Unified Border Center (CUF), which connects São Tomé and São Borja, with approximately 15 kilometers of infrastructure undergoing maintenance and modernization.
The Santo Tomé – São Borja CUF, located in Argentine territory, is the first integrated complex in MERCOSUR, where authorities from both countries work in a single location. It operates 24 hours a day to supervise the entry and exit of people and goods at this border crossing. Customs operates local traffic, baggage, cargo, and transit operations to third countries.
With this decision, made official today, both countries reaffirm their willingness to coordinate the transition between concessionaires and ensure the continued operation of a strategic border crossing, key to 30% of bilateral trade and MERCOSUR integration.
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