After one millionaire investment and nine months of jobsthe reconstruction of kilometer 44 in the Palín-Squintla Highway It is about to conclude.
The inauguration is scheduled between the March 29 and 30, 2025but doubts persist about their real impact, especially for delays and logistics costs that They affected thousands of users, especially from the transport and trade sector.
The reopening of the section is only the first step, since it remains to be evaluated if the improvements will avoid new collapses.
This becomes relevant to the closeness of the Easter week (April 13 to 20, 2025)when traffic on this route increases significantly.
Closing impact: Congestion, Costs and Trade Affected
The work, key to the Commerce and tourism to the southern coast From Guatemala, it has caused serious inconveniences for carriers and travelers.
The road closures Transfer times tripledthat arrived Up to seven hours.
In addition, delays generated additional logistics costs and affected the quality of life of the inhabitants of Escuintla and nearby areas.
International trade also suffered impacts, since this highway connects with the South CA-9 and facilitates access to strategic ports:
- Puerto Quetzal (Escuintla): main commercial port of the country in the Pacific
- Puerto San José (Escuintla): Important for Fisheries and Tourism
- Port of Champerico (Retalhuleu): of less commercial relevance, but key to the region
Investment and advances in reconstruction
The repair of km 44 had a cost of Q59.97 million, awarded to A Construcciones, SA until January 28, 2025 Q29.89 million (48.50 %) had been executed.
Other highway sections also required investment after the completion of the concession with Marnhos:
- Km 39 (Consolidated Civil Works, SA): Contractual amount: Q10.52 million – Executed: Q7.91 million (75.16 %)
- Km 45 (Kaobar projects and works: Contractual amount: Q29.49 million – executed: Q16.81 million (57 %)
Lack of coordination and delays in the work
From the beginning of the process, business chambers tried to coordinate with the government to expedite repairs, without obtaining concrete answers. Camagro, the Guatemalan Chamber of Industry (CIG) and the Guatemalan Chamber of Construction (CGC) insisted on the need to address the emergency, but without significant advances.
The CIG has pointed out that the lack of investment and infrastructure planning has seriously affected the logistics and economy of the country.
- The KM 44 collapsed on June 13, 2024, accumulating 283 days late until its reopening until March 24, 2025.
- July 16, 2024: an alternate dirt road was enabled, but it was inappropriate for light vehicles
- August 11, 2024: After 57 days of total closure, the restricted step was allowed by a lane, although with warnings about the stability of the embankment
- March 31, 2025: The reconstruction with asphalt and five lanes is expected to end both ways
Also read: Economic Panorama 2025: Creating infrastructure is the great challenge
What is still for Holy Week?
After the delivery of the work, the authorities of Palín, Escuintla and the Road Protection Unit (Provial) must regulate traffic and evaluate vehicular flow in the area.
Provial confirmed that joint plans will be established with various institutions in road prevention and assistance for travelers.
Meanwhile, entrepreneurs and carriers demand urgent solutions to mitigate economic losses and improve mobility at a general level in the country.
See also: What are the features of the new section at kilometer 44 on the Palín-Secuintla highway?