El Valle Road Gets a Third Lane — Here's What Changes for Drivers

The Short Version

The Municipality of Cuenca is expanding the access road to El Valle's parish center from two lanes to three on the stretch between El Coco and the "Y" entrance to Chilcapamba.

Work begins this month (March 2026). The third lane should be operational by April 2026.

How the Third Lane Will Work

It's a reversible lane system — the same approach already used on sections upstream. The direction of the third lane changes based on the time of day:

This makes sense if you know the traffic pattern: heavy inbound flow in the morning as people commute to the city, then outbound traffic in the afternoon and evening.

What About Construction?

The municipality is also repairing an unstable section near El Coco where a damaged drainage system has compromised the roadway. This repair work will happen during March alongside the lane expansion.

Pablo Carvallo, director of the General Mobility Department, said officials have consulted with local landowners along the route to secure the additional road width needed for the expansion.

What Drivers Should Know

• Expect construction disruptions in March on this stretch
• By April, the third lane should be operational
• Pay attention to signage — the reversible lane means the direction changes throughout the day
• The morning commute (6-9 AM) benefits most with two lanes flowing toward the city
• If you're heading TO El Valle during morning rush hour, you'll be in the single outbound lane — plan accordingly

Why This Matters

El Valle is one of Cuenca's fastest-growing parishes, and the two-lane road has been a bottleneck for years. Anyone who's sat in the morning traffic crawl from El Valle into the city knows the frustration. A third lane won't solve everything, but it should meaningfully improve peak-hour flow.

If you live in El Valle, Chilcapamba, or any of the southern communities that use this road, mark April on your calendar.

Source: El Mercurio