According to Dolman Godínez, general director of roads, priorities in road infrastructure will focus on reactivating the works that have 70% advance.
From data shared by the General Directorate of Roads (DGC), 13 projects that will be restarted during this year, in addition to two new projects are identified.
As a second topic, study planning will be sought, says Godínez. This pre -investment phase will be carried out to raise events and tender construction works, explains the director of the DGC.
The third priority of the institution during this 2025, according to Godínez, is the maintenance of rural roads and specific emergency care, such as landslides, undercuts and landslides.
According to Herlindo Herrera, Communication Director of the Guatemala Logistics Guild, attached to the Guatemalan Chamber of Industry, there are sections, such as the Route to the Pacific, the CA-9-both south as North-and Villanueva, which should be priority for the DGC, due to problems such as floods that affect the productivity of the private sector.
Road priorities in the civ
According to Godínez, they have different types of works, among which the bridges and road sections stand out. In addition, he explained that there are projects with external financing.
The next projects to restart are the following, according to the General Directorate of Roads (DGC):
- Four -lane road design and construction, CA -14 Route, Section: Santa Cruz Verapaz – Cobán, Alta Verapaz.
- Rehabilitation of the CA-01-Occident Route-08, section between Patzicía and the Encounters, Chimaltenango.
- Road replacement, CA-11 route, section: CA-10 bifurcation, Hondo Vado-Jocotán, Chiquimula.
- Blinding construction, CA-09 Sur Km 26.81, Amatitlán, Guatemala.
- Blinding construction, CA-09 Sur Km 31.117, Amatitlán, Guatemala.
- Rural road improvement, CR-HUE-36, Section: San Martín Cuchumatán-Cantinil Union, Huehuetenango.
- Four -lane road expansion, North CA -9 route, section: Km 291,320 – Km 294,380 (20 street), Puerto Barrios, Izabal.
- Rehabilitation of the North-8-19 CA-09 route, section between deviation to Quiriguá and Puerto Barrios, Izabal.
- Road Improvement, Jutiapa Departmental Route 43, Section: Bifurcation CA -02 Oriente – Aldea Pedro de Alvarado – La Barona.
- Road Improvement, RD-PET-12, Section: Las Cruces-Border Bethel, Petén. Subtramus: CR-PET-06 Bifurcation (Est. 458+800)-Bifurcation CR-PET-12 (est. 479+200), Petén.
- Road Improvement, RD-PET-06 Route, Section: Bifurcation CA-13 EST. 416,670, Caserío Sabaneta – Est. 449,900, Calabazal hamlet, Dolores, Petén.
- Project design: RD-SCH-02 San Pablo Jocopilas (Ixtacapa Bridge, Station 151,300-Construction), San Pablo Jocopilas, Suchitepéquez.
- Rehabilitation of the RD-Zac-05 route, est. 194+100, La Quebradona vehicular bridge, La Unión, Zacapa.
Among the sections to be reactivated is the expansion of four-lane road from the CA-9 to Izabal, which represents a key point, according to Herrera.
Godínez argues that there are “very large” and other “very small” projects, so they will have a constancy of budgetary availability to guarantee the payment flow of the projects throughout this semester and avoid the suspension of works. This, according to Godínez, is his goal: to avoid suspending works.
In addition, the DGC shared two new sections:
- Construction of overpass, entrance to Mazatenango, Km 158.6 CA-02 West, Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez.
- Road Improvement, RD -BVE -18 Route, Section: Chitomax – Pacaní – Cubulco, Baja Verapaz.
Important sections for the productive sector
Herrera mentioned that the route to the Pacific, at kilometer 31.5, is frequently flooded. “That did not happen last year, before it was 34.5, but they fixed it. Now the flood ran it from place,” said Herrera.
The problem, according to Herrera, is the entrance of the rainy season: “Those rains will make it impossible to pass through the Pacific and will have to go through the RN-14, which, by the fire volcano-which has been in erupting-has closed.” Herrera also adds that the road does not endure so much heavy transport.
According to Herrera, this point is important because it is the exit and income of all the containers of Puerto Quetzal. He also highlighted the CA-9 North Route to Santo Tomás de Castilla and the South CA-9 route, which begins from Puerto Quetzal.
On the other hand, Herrera mentions that Villanueva, specifically in the new bridge that is in repairs, must also be a priority, since, as indicated, during 2024 caverns were formed.
Competitive disadvantages
Herrera stressed that these problems affect the arrival time of products to their destination. As indicated, the estimated time to arrive from Puerto Quetzal to Guatemala City should be two hours; However, times of up to eight hours have been recorded when the route to the Pacific is flooded.
Herrera also mentions that the costs of the merchandise are increased. As explained, this increase represents 10% of the value of the merchandise, a percentage that increases year after year, he says.
In addition, the spokesman highlights that productivity is lost, since citizens cannot reach their workplaces on time.