The road to Daule in Ecuador has become increasingly dangerous over the years, with inadequate infrastructure and high rates of fatal accidents despite being a toll road.
The road leading to Daule has become an incredibly perilous experience for drivers over the years, primarily due to insufficient road safety measures and infrastructure that has not changed since its construction in the late 1960s. Despite the fact that this is a toll road, which has been in place for more than twenty-five years, there has been no significant improvement in the road’s condition or safety for users. The 90-kilometer stretch between Palestina, Balzar, and El Empalme, which includes two toll booths, remains largely the same, with only two lanes insufficient to accommodate contemporary traffic volumes.
This roadway is infamously referred to as the “road of death” because of the alarmingly high frequency of fatal accidents, particularly in the areas leading toward Guayaquil. As vehicles approach the city, especially from the Chivería toll booth to the city entrance, the risks increase significantly. The poor visibility and lack of adequate infrastructure, combined with heavy traffic, create a hazardous situation for drivers, particularly at night when visibility is further compromised.
The ongoing neglect and lack of investment in improving this critical transportation route pose serious implications for public safety. Users of the road are continuously exposed to danger, and the government’s failure to address these issues raises questions about accountability for the management of toll revenues and overall public transportation infrastructure. With increasing traffic and a growing population, the need for urgent upgrades and safety measures has never been more critical.
