done on a cooperative basis with the United States furnishing the plans, specifications and estimates for the bridges, all the steel and other fabricated materials for the superstructures, mechanical equipment, and transportation of materials and equipment to the work sites. In addition, the United States was to construct the superstructures and furnish all supervision and inspection. Each cooperating country was to furnish all local materials and transportation of these materials, purchase right-of-way, furnish labor needed to construct the bridge foundations and substructures, remove bridge falsework, grade bridge approaches and clean up the job site.
Proposed route of the Inter-American Highway in 1933.
Guatemala, Honduras and Panama quickly agreed on the disposition of their shares for bridge construction. Costa Rica did not wish to use its share of this allotment for bridges but desired, instead, to construct portions of the southern section of the highway in order to open up promising agricultural areas. After lengthy negotiations, it was agreed, in September 1937, that the United States would provide technical assistance, furnish adequate modern equipment and provide culvert materials. The Government of Costa Rica would provide the labor and local materials needed for the work. Because of the difficult terrain, work on these sections progressed slowly over the next few years. With the completion of surveys handled from the Panama office and the initiation of construction in Costa Rica, the Bureau established its headquarters office in San Jose, Costa Rica, in October 1935.
The Threat of War Steps Up Construction
In 1939 the Commanding General of the Panama Canal requested the PRA to administer the construction of a 61-mile road project from Chorrera to Rio Hato, where an important air defense facility was located. Panama was to undertake the construction with PRA acting principally as monitor. For this project, Congress provided $1.8 million to the U.S. Army, and in 1940 Panama received a $2.5 million loan from the Export-Import Bank to cover its share of the cost. With the advent of war in 1941 and the military importance of the highway, the U.S. Government took over full financing of the project. With some 45 miles to complete, Public Roads took charge, and by July 1942, just 7 months later, the project was completed. Although this project was originally a military requirement, because of its location and alinement, it was later incorporated into the Inter-American Highway.
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