A Decade of Dust: Balzay's Los Olivos and San Lucas Residents Say Their 3 km Road Is Still Unpaved

The Story

Residents of Los Olivos and San Lucas, in the San José de Balzay sector of Cuenca, say a road they've been promised pavement on for about a decade is still in poor condition — and that recent assurances from the Prefectura del Azuay haven't changed anything on the ground (source).

The Road

The stretch in question runs from the Iglesia de San José de Balzay to the area locally known as la "Y" de San Lucas — about 3 kilometers total. Per the article, the road "se mantiene a nivel de lastre, presenta deterioro y genera múltiples incomodidades" — still at gravel level, deteriorated, and causing daily problems.

The most visible impact, residents say, is dust: "deben soportar grandes cantidades de polvo que se levantan con el paso de los vehículos, sobre todo a la salida de las escuelas." Dust kicks up every time a car passes, and it's worst when kids are leaving the local schools.

The Promise

The most recent commitment from the Prefectura, according to the article, was that work would happen between May and June. Residents have heard versions of this timeline for — in their words — roughly a decade.

What This Means for You

• If you live in or near Balzay, this is your neighborhood story. Los Olivos and San Lucas are close to UCuenca and Yanuncay — a zone where a lot of expats have landed for the university-adjacent vibe.
• Dust from unpaved roads is a real air-quality issue, especially if you have respiratory sensitivities or kids walking to school. Keep masks handy on dry, windy days.
• Watch the May-June window. If work actually starts, it will mean temporary closures and detours. If it doesn't, the story continues.
• House hunting in the area? This is the kind of thing you won't see on Airbnb or in a real estate listing but will absolutely affect daily life. Walk the road before you sign a lease.

Source: El Mercurio