President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, announced that the national government will implement the Strategic Mobility Plan until 2030, which will require public and private investments of USD 38bn (EUR 33.83bn). The Minister of Transport and Public Works, Boris Cordova, further added that the primary objective of the initiative will be to expand some of the national routes and to convert them into motorways, in order to accommodate the mounting logistical needs of the growing national economy. With the projects structured as concessions to attract private investments, one of the major initiatives is the introduction of four lanes and an interchange on the 190km Santo Domingo-Quevedo-Jujan motorway. Due to the higher costs associated with building on unstable clay soil, the proposal will offer private contractors an option of recovering their investment of more than USD 1.40bn through toll fees over a five-year period. Among other Strategic Mobility Plan's projects is the 180km Santo Domingo-Esmeraldas road concession, which will require construction of four lanes, as well as installation of bridges and interchanges. Cordova further revealed that the expansion and further maintenance of the Guayaquil-Salinas route will be offered as a ten-year concession.
Speaking about the repairs of the Manabi-Esmeraldas road, which was affected by the earthquakes of 16 April 2016, the public official revealed that the works with a budget of USD 100mn will be complete in January 2017. As for the ongoing investigation into the tender standards and requirements for Manta port operator, Cordova announced that the concession will be ready on 7 December 2016, after which the authorities expect to sign the agreement with the only bidder so far, Chilean company
Speaking about the repairs of the Manabi-Esmeraldas road, which was affected by the earthquakes of 16 April 2016, the public official revealed that the works with a budget of USD 100mn will be complete in January 2017. As for the ongoing investigation into the tender standards and requirements for Manta port operator, Cordova announced that the concession will be ready on 7 December 2016, after which the authorities expect to sign the agreement with the only bidder so far, Chilean company
