The head of the Ministry of Communication, Infrastructure and Housing (CIV), Norma Zea, reported this April 13 that the work in the Cito-Zarco route They have been advancing since January, despite multiple difficulties that have delayed the work.
Among the main obstacles are the attention of alternate routes, conflicts with communities and climatic conditions adverse. However, the official pointed out that, thanks to agreements reached with local and community authorities in San Felipe, the project was unblocked and execution continued.
Currently, the contracting company works on the foundation of a vaultconsidered a definitive structural solution for the affected section.
According to the CIV, this work responds to engineering studies carried out on site, after failures in interventions carried out in previous administrations.
Work between Muluá and Zunil will be integrated into road expansion
The authorities indicated that this week offers were received for the widening to third lane between Muluá and Zunil, in Quetzaltenango.
This project will include the section under repair, which will allow continuity of the road infrastructure in the future.
Estimated completion date
At the weekly “La Ronda” conference, the minister commented that she expects the work to conclude in the last week of maywhile the company maintains continuous days of more than 48 hours, even at night and under rainy conditions, to comply with the schedule.
History of damage on the Cito 180 route
The Cito-Zarco route has faced constant emergencies during the last few months.
In June 2025, a sinkhole at kilometer 189 affected a 1.3 kilometer stretch, forcing enable interim steps and, later, a Bailey bridge in November of the same year.
Furthermore, in October there was a landslide at kilometer 194in the La Soledad farm sector, in El Palmar, Quetzaltenango.
Analysts warned at the time that the closure of the via generated daily losses of up to Q600 thousand due to its economic impact.
Strategic importance of the Cito-Zarco route
The Cito-Zarco route It is a key axis that connects the South Coast with the western highlandswhich include departments such as Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Totonicapan and Huehuetenango.
This pathway is essential for trade, tourism and passenger transportin addition to the transfer of fuel from the Port of San José to the west of the country.
It also facilitates the distribution of agricultural products to national and Central American markets, through the CA-2 Oriente route