Heads Up: Cuenca-Azogues Highway Closing Saturday for Controlled Blasts
Chip Moreno
The Quick Version
If you're planning to drive toward Azogues, the airport area, or anywhere along the Panamericana Norte on Saturday, February 21 — plan around this:
- When: 3:20 PM to 3:40 PM (20 minutes)
- Where: Guangarcucho sector, on the Cuenca-Azogues highway
- Why: Controlled blasts for foundation work at the new wastewater treatment plant
- Who's doing it: ETAPA EP, with contractor Hidalgo e Hidalgo S.A.
What's Actually Closing
Three road sections will be shut down in both directions during the blast window:
- The Cuenca-Azogues highway in the Guangarcucho sector
- The Panamericana Norte near the Jadán bridge
- The road to Jadán, 300 meters before the elevated crossing
Traffic agents, the Fire Department, and technical personnel will be managing the closure. This isn't a suggestion — the road will be physically blocked.
Why Are They Blasting?
ETAPA is building Cuenca's new wastewater treatment plant in the Guangarcucho area. The controlled explosions are needed to establish key structural foundations. This is the second closure for this project — they did the same thing previously during an earlier construction phase.
The wastewater treatment plant is one of Cuenca's biggest infrastructure projects. When complete, it'll significantly improve how the city processes sewage before it enters the river system. It's a big deal for water quality, even if the construction is a temporary headache for drivers.
What to Do If You're Driving
If You Need to Be on That Highway Saturday Afternoon
- Leave before 3:00 PM to clear the zone, or
- Wait until after 4:00 PM to give the area time to fully reopen
- The closure is only 20 minutes, but factor in the backup that will build up on both sides
If You're Heading to the Airport
Cuenca's Mariscal Lamar airport is in the city center, so this closure won't affect airport trips. But if you're picking someone up who's coming from Azogues or taking a bus from that direction, they could be delayed.
If You Live in Guangarcucho or Jadán
Expect noise. Controlled blasts are exactly what they sound like — loud. Keep pets indoors and let neighbors know, especially anyone with young children or health concerns.
The Bigger Picture
Yes, a 20-minute road closure isn't the end of the world. But if you're an expat who regularly drives the Cuenca-Azogues route — for the Azogues market, the Sunday feria in Biblián, or trips toward Ingapirca — it's good to have this on your radar.
Expect more closures like this in the coming months as the wastewater plant construction continues. ETAPA typically announces them a few days in advance through local media.
Source: El Mercurio
