Resumption of the Guayaquil-Cuenca Highway Project

The governments of Ecuador and the Republic of Korea have restarted the development of the new Guayaquil-Cuenca highway, facilitated through the public company Korea Expressway Corporation, as announced by the Public-Private Investment Secretariat.

The secretariat indicated that by the end of 2024, contracts are expected to be signed to conduct studies identifying the best technical solution for a fast route connecting Guayaquil and Cuenca. If construction proceeds, the national government estimates that the new highway will benefit 3.6 million people in both Azuay and Guayas.

What is the Guayaquil-Cuenca Highway?

For many years, Cuenca has sought a reliable, fast highway connecting it to Guayaquil, one that would not suffer from frequent closures due to weather. The capital of Azuay has been advocating for an optimal route to the Ecuadorian coast for over 150 years, though promises and proposals have been repeatedly delayed by successive governments.

The idea of a new route, an alternative to the existing Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme road, was revitalized in the 21st century. In March 2023, then-President Guillermo Lasso signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Expressway Corporation to conduct prefeasibility and feasibility studies for the highway. However, the agreement stalled due to the political instability in Ecuador at the time.

Now, under the leadership of President Daniel Noboa, the agreement has been revived. According to the Public-Private Investment Secretariat, the project is expected to progress this year.