The first vehicles began to officially travel through the 30.8 kilometers of Xochi, Corridor of Flowers, this June 14. The new toll highway enabled its circulation in a first phase that directly connects the main accesses of the kilometers 142.6, in San Antonio Suchitepéquez, and 172.6in San Andrés Villa Seca, Retalhuleu, of the route CA-2 West.
From early in the morning, the first vehicles traveled on the new highway, designed to reduce travel times in a section where journeys can last between three and five hours, compared to nearly 30 minutes estimated with the new road.
“We are very happy a few hours after having opened the project and seeing how people are already using it”stated Carlos Colom, project director, highlighting the response of the first users during the opening.
The road will operate temporarily on a restricted schedule, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., during the next two or three weeks, while complementary signaling, road safety and technical adjustments are carried out at different points of the corridor.
Colom explained that the current priority is to guarantee road safety before opening the passage 24 hours a day. During this period, the technical teams will work on finalizing details of horizontal signage with thermoplastic paint and reflective microspheres, the placement of safety railings and the completion of gutters to face the rainy season on the South Coast.
Road characteristics
Xochi has an extension of almost 31 kilometers, four lanes and a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour, with infrastructure designed to support light vehicles and heavy transportation.
The project goes through agricultural, commercial and productive areas of the South Coastwith direct impact on more than 100 communities of Suchitepéquez and Retalhuleuand it is one of the most relevant road works of the region.
“Today is a day to celebrate. The economic and social value of a work like this is enormous,” stated Colom, highlighting the importance of this type of infrastructure.
The highway crosses rivers, communities and points of high logistics activity.
“Guatemalans really need new solutions to move more quickly and safely. Options like Xochi show that things can be done,” He added, referring to the execution of the project after several years of planning.
Next phases
The company plans a progressive expansion of the system, with the enabling of intermediate accesses and the extension of schedules as the operational consolidation of the highway progresses.
“Very soon we are going to open an exit at kilometer 152 for Mazatenango and another at kilometer 162 towards Cuyotenango”Colom added.
“The dream is beginning. (…) Being able to save an hour, two hours or three hours a day is something truly transformational,” he said.
To move in an agile way, Colom called for adopting the Xochi Tagan electronic payment mechanism that is delivered at no additional cost at the route’s checkpoints and will include special rates and discounts for frequent users.
Highway and toll cost
Xochi seeks to facilitate connection with main tourist destinations.
Among the medium-term connectivity plans, the manager highlighted that direct connections to the parking lots of the recreational parks in the area are already being evaluated. Irtra in Retalhuleuwhich will allow millions of tourists to completely avoid congested urban centers and consolidate the region as a unique economic growth pole in the country.
New route Xochi, Corridor of Flowers by Marlon Borrayo
