The government of Ecuador has begun work on expanding the E25 highway between Río Siete and Huaquillas in El Oro province. The project, which covers kilometers 13 to 19 of the route, involves widening the road to four lanes and constructing two new bridges: Zapote and Chaguana. The total investment for this effort is USD 17.4 million.
The official launch ceremony was led by Roberto Luque, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), alongside provincial and local authorities. During the event, Luque highlighted the importance of this infrastructure upgrade for southern Ecuador.
“Today we are here to announce an investment of USD 17 million destined for the expansion to four lanes of the 6-kilometer stretch from Río Siete to Huaquillas, which includes the construction of two bridges,” said Minister Luque.
The project is expected to directly benefit more than 12,000 drivers daily and create approximately 535 jobs, both direct and indirect. This is anticipated to boost the local economy and provide new opportunities for families in the area.
According to officials, modernizing this section of E25 will help reduce travel times, lower logistics costs, and improve national competitiveness. The E25 serves as a key transport corridor for products such as bananas, cocoa, shrimp, and other goods traveling from coastal provinces to ports and distribution centers throughout Ecuador.
Local leaders attending the ceremony included Clemente Bravo (prefect of El Oro), Steven Ordóñez (assembly member), Hitler Álvarez (mayor of El Guabo), Magali Sánchez (mayor of Camilo Ponce Enríquez), among others. They acknowledged both President Daniel Noboa’s administration and Minister Roberto Luque for their commitment to improving regional connectivity.
In his remarks at the event, Minister Luque emphasized that upgrading roads like Guayaquil–Machala has been a priority since President Daniel Noboa took office due to El Oro’s significance in production and development.
The government stated its continued commitment “to building a more connected, productive, and safe country for all Ecuadorians.”
