Tram and Ordoñez Lasso construction creates traffic ‘chaos’ on Av. Las Americas

Cuenca transportation officials are grappling with what they admit is “traffic chaos” on Av. Las Americas in the area of the Gran Colombia – Ordoñez Lasso redondel.

Stalled traffic on Av. Las Americas. (El Tiempo)

On Monday, traffic on Las Americas was closed in both directions between Del Batán and Gran Colombia and between De Las Pencas and Gran Colombia.  “We know that movement is very difficult in the entire area and we are looking for alternative routes to provide relief,” said city transportation director Alfredo Aguilar. “We are working hard to finish by the beginning of school in September.”

Aguilar said that Camino del Tejar, north of the Supermaxi shopping mall on Las Americas, has been added as a detour to relieve pressure on Paseo de Tres de Noviembre, which he says has become overloaded.

The situation is complicated, Aguilar says, by construction on Lasso. “There are detours everywhere to get around the closures,” he said.

Vendors at the Feria Libre market are complaining that deliveries are being delayed because of construction and say some suppliers are refusing to enter the area. “We are in pain down here,” said Rafael Quinde, a fruit vendor. “We received no notice of this and now we are paying the price.”

Aguilar said he office is adding more traffic police in hopes of moving traffic more effectively during construction.