Prefeasibility studies reveal proposed routes aimed at solving persistent road issues and boosting regional connectivity.

Cuenca’s long-standing transportation bottleneck may soon see relief as the Ecuadorian government advances plans for a new highway connecting the Azuay capital with Guayaquil. The Secretariat of Public-Private Investment announced the submission of three preliminary route options by Korea Expressway Corporation, the South Korean firm contracted to carry out prefeasibility studies for the long-awaited infrastructure project.

The contract, signed in November 2024 under President Daniel Noboa’s administration, responds to demands from Azuay’s industrial and logistics sectors, which have suffered for years due to the unreliability of the current Cuenca-Molleturo route. With a budget of $1.8 million and a 10-month research timeline, the Korean firm is tasked with evaluating technical, environmental, and financial criteria to identify the most viable route for construction.

The current options under consideration reflect efforts to address not only the region’s pressing transportation challenges but also to mitigate environmental impact, especially in the Cajas National Park area. Two of the proposed routes involve building extensive tunnels through or around mountainous terrain to avoid the natural park’s fragile ecosystem and improve year-round traffic flow.

Three Proposals with Key Differences

The first route option runs from Guayaquil through Mercedes and into Cajas, before reaching Cuenca. This 105-kilometer corridor includes the most ambitious engineering feature: an 18-kilometer tunnel to bypass the protected Cajas National Park altogether. This route seeks to preserve the park’s ecological integrity while drastically improving road reliability, which has been hampered for decades by frequent landslides and weather-related closures.

The second proposal charts a longer, 140-kilometer path from Guayaquil through El Triunfo, Cañar, Biblián, and Azogues before arriving in Cuenca. Rather than an entirely new road, this plan focuses on upgrading the existing highway by incorporating tunnels, bridges, and bypasses to improve safety and traffic flow. While the route is longer, its reliance on current infrastructure could offer a more cost-effective solution, though it may not fully address the structural weaknesses of the present road.

The third and final option mirrors part of the second proposal but shortens the distance to 108 kilometers by eliminating the detour through Cañar. This route involves constructing a completely new 80-kilometer segment between Biblián and El Triunfo, a proposal that draws on previous research by the University of Cuenca. It strikes a balance between new development and strategic reuse of existing corridors, making it a strong contender.

All three proposed routes converge at Cuenca’s southern entrance via the Cumbe-Cuenca corridor, an area viewed as the most efficient point of access to the city’s urban core.

A Race Against Time and Terrain

The need for a new, reliable road between Cuenca and Guayaquil has become increasingly urgent. The current primary route, the Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme highway, winds through Cajas National Park and is notorious for unpredictable closures due to landslides, fog, and poor maintenance. These issues regularly disrupt commerce and public mobility, leaving residents and freight companies at the mercy of weather and geological instability.

When the Cuenca-Molleturo highway becomes impassable, drivers are forced to detour along the Cuenca-Biblián-Zhud-Cochancay-El Triunfo route—a secondary road that is also vulnerable to congestion and deterioration. The constant traffic diversions increase fuel costs, extend travel times, and put additional strain on alternative infrastructure.

Public-Private Investment Secretary Pablo Cevallos emphasized that this project is a priority for regional development. “The goal is not just to build another highway, but to create a resilient, modern connection that improves logistics, enhances safety, and supports economic growth for southern Ecuador,” he said in a May 22nd statement.

What Comes Next

With the preliminary routes now submitted, the next stage involves rigorous technical, environmental, social, and economic evaluations at the prefeasibility level. These studies will help determine which route offers the best combination of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and minimal environmental disruption.

The definitive route is expected to be selected by the final quarter of 2025, according to Cevallos. Once chosen, a more comprehensive feasibility study will be launched, also financed by Korea Expressway Corporation. This phase will fine-tune engineering plans, conduct environmental impact assessments, and define investment and construction timelines.

The Korean company is also leading similar prefeasibility studies for a proposed Guayaquil-Quito highway, highlighting the growing international involvement in Ecuador’s infrastructure modernization efforts. In the case of the Cuenca-Guayaquil corridor, any selected route will likely involve a public-private partnership model, potentially opening the door for international investment or toll-based revenue systems to support long-term maintenance and financing.

A Strategic Gamble on Regional Growth

While the final route and cost projections remain uncertain, local leaders and stakeholders are optimistic that a well-planned, efficiently executed highway could be transformative. Improved connectivity with Guayaquil—Ecuador’s largest port city—would streamline exports from Azuay’s manufacturing base, reduce travel times for residents, and increase tourism in both directions.

Environmentalists, however, are watching closely, particularly regarding the proposed tunnel beneath or around Cajas National Park. The park is one of the country’s most biodiverse and sensitive ecosystems. Any construction that risks harming its water systems or habitats will face strong opposition.

Yet the very inclusion of a tunnel solution, rather than road expansion through the park, is a signal that planners are attempting to balance ecological preservation with infrastructure demands.

Ultimately, the Cuenca-Guayaquil highway project represents more than just a new road—it’s a test case for Ecuador’s broader ambitions in sustainable infrastructure, international cooperation, and regional economic revitalization.

As the studies progress and the final route comes into focus, one thing is clear: the journey to Guayaquil may soon be a lot smoother—and safer—than it has ever been.