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Cuenca pushes ahead with 50km ring road

The Ecuadorian city of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in discussions with contractors for construction of a 50km ring road. The city – whose full name is Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca - is the capital of the highland Azuay province and around 2,500m above sea level. It has a population of around 400,000 rising to 700,000 in the larger metro area. Ecuadorian media reports put the cost of the road at around US$600 million. The initiative will be financed by the private sector and the winn
September 2, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The Ecuadorian city of Cuenca, a 1384 UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in discussions with contractors for construction of a 50km ring road.

The city – whose full name is Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca - is the capital of the highland Azuay province and around 2,500m above sea level. It has a population of around 400,000 rising to 700,000 in the larger metro area.

Ecuadorian media reports put the cost of the road at around US$600 million. The initiative will be financed by the private sector and the winner will recover their investment through toll charges. There are at least 15 international companies that have shown interest in the project.

The six-lane road will run from the northern sector of Guangarcucho, travelling through the rural areas of Llacao, Chiquintad, Sidcay, Sinincay, Sayausi and San Joaquin to reach Tarqui in the south of the city. The route will feature 11 bridges and 49 underpasses.

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