Madero Project

"Proposal of Eduardo Madero"

A tough debate preceeded to the final choice of the port design between Huergo and Madero. Beyond the convenience of each model, it became evident that it was a dispute of groups with confronted interests.

Eduardo Madero was a relevant trader in Buenos Aires. He presented three projects of port (1861 -1869 and 1881), being the third the one that finally would be approved.

The final proposal was presented by Madero after a trip to London, to the President of the Nation, Julio A. Roca. The design had been made by Eng. John Hawkshaw, and with financial support by the Baring Brothers.

This proposal placed the port at the east front of the city. It consisted of a 21ft deep channel, and outside wall, a inner harbor and four docks interconnected through bridges for loading-unloading, also 21ft deep. Aside, and following the docks line, warehouses with hydraulic cranes in their fronts would be built, as to allow loading and unloading from the vessels warehouses.

In October 1882 the project is approved by the Congress, under the bill 1257 that authorized the Government to hire Eduardo Madero.

The works began in March 1888 and were completed by stages: 1889 dock 1, 1890 dock 2, 1892 dock 3, 1897 dock 4 and north inner harbor.