Monay-IESS Overpass Construction — What's Happening, What's Closed, and How to Get Around It
Chip Moreno
The Biggest Infrastructure Project in Cuenca Right Now
If you've driven anywhere near the IESS Hospital or the Cuenca-Azogues highway lately, you've seen it: cranes, concrete pillars, lane closures, and detour signs everywhere. The Monay-IESS Interchange (Intercambiador Monay-IESS) is the largest road construction project in Cuenca, and it's going to reshape your commute for the rest of the year.
Here's everything you need to know — especially the parts that affect your daily driving.
What's Being Built
A 300-meter elevated highway overpass with 6 lanes that will bypass the current IESS roundabout — the bottleneck that turns every rush hour into a parking lot. The full project includes:
- Elevated passage (Azogues-to-Cuenca direction) — the main overpass
- Depressed passage on Cuzco Street (Cuenca-to-Azogues direction) — an underpass
- New roundabout in the lower zone
- Highway widening, new medians, pedestrian crossings, and return roads
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Budget | $43.3 million (financed by CAF) |
| Contractor | Ripconciv Cia. LTDA |
| Client | Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport |
| Started | August 2025 |
| Current progress | ~24% |
| First overpass operational | September 2026 |
| Full completion | Mid-2027 |
What's Closed Right Now
Ongoing (Since August 2025)
- Three lanes of the Cuenca-Azogues highway in the Azogues-to-Cuenca direction — closed for 12 months (Phase 1)
- IESS roundabout — fully closed
- Rayoloma road roundabout — removed
New Closure Starting Today (March 10)
- Cuenca-Azogues highway between José Carrasco Arteaga Street and Cuzco Street (near IESS Hospital)
- Hours: Nightly, 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM
- Duration: 30 days (through approximately April 9)
- Reason: Beam placement for the overpass structure
How to Get Around It
The municipality has implemented eight detour routes. The main ones you need to know:
- Avenida 24 de Mayo — the primary overflow route. Now converted to one-way traffic from Rayoloma bridge to Max Uhle bridge
- Max Uhle Street — right turns toward Cuenca or left turns continuing toward Azogues via the highway
- El Valle Road — enhanced traffic signals at the Av. 24 de Mayo intersection
- Gapal Roundabout — modified geometry for better flow
Traffic lights along Av. 24 de Mayo have been removed for continuous flow. Pulsing pedestrian signals remain at high-traffic crossings. Three bus lines have been adjusted.
What This Means for Your Daily Life
If you commute from Azogues, Gualaceo, or the eastern parishes — your drive is going to take 15-30 minutes longer than normal through at least September 2026. Build in extra time.
If you go to the IESS Hospital — the main entrance area on Rayoloma is directly affected. Approach via Av. 24 de Mayo or Cuzco Street. Allow extra time, especially for morning appointments.
If you drive at night — the new nightly closures (11 PM - 4 AM, March 10 through April 9) will affect late-night routes between Cuenca and the eastern highway. Use Av. 24 de Mayo as your alternative.
If you use the tram — the tram itself isn't affected, but bus connections near Monay have been rerouted. Check your bus line if you transfer at Monay.
Affected neighborhoods: Monay, Ucubamba, Gapal, and parishes El Valle and Paccha.
Is It Worth It?
The Monay-IESS intersection has been one of Cuenca's worst traffic bottlenecks for years. The current roundabout was designed for a fraction of today's traffic volume. When complete, the elevated overpass should eliminate the stoplight-and-roundabout gridlock that plagues this corridor.
The first elevated passage is scheduled to be operational by September 2026, which should provide meaningful relief even before the full project wraps up in mid-2027.
Until then: patience, alternative routes, and Google Maps set to avoid toll roads (which picks up traffic in real time).
Sources: El Mercurio, El Mercurio, GAD Municipal de Cuenca
