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Drivers use anti-flood channel as shortcut in Huaycoloro, Peru, despite ban
🇵🇪 Peru /Disasters & Emergencies

Drivers use anti-flood channel as shortcut in Huaycoloro, Peru, despite ban

From La República · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Drivers are using the Huaycoloro anti-flood channel as a shortcut to avoid traffic on Ramiro Prialé Avenue in Peru, despite it being prohibited.
  • The channel, built to manage floodwaters and reduce huaico risks, is being used as a rapid transit route, posing risks to infrastructure and safety.
  • Authorities state the channel was transferred to the local municipality for administration and control after its construction.

Drivers in Huaycoloro, Peru, are illegally using the Huaycoloro anti-flood channel as a shortcut to bypass traffic on Ramiro Prialé Avenue. Vehicles including cars, vans, and motorcycles are navigating the concrete structure, which was designed to control floodwaters from the quebrada during intense rains and mitigate huaico risks in Lurigancho-Chosica.

The infrastructure was built to conduct the quebrada's waters during intense rains and reduce the risk of huaicos in sectors of Lurigancho-Chosica.

— La RepúblicaDescription of the purpose of the Huaycoloro channel.

Despite the prohibition, vehicles enter and travel through the channel unimpeded, taking advantage of the lack of surveillance. Residents and drivers acknowledge that this route significantly reduces travel time but admit it is unauthorized and poses risks to both the infrastructure and those using it. The practice has already led to traffic accidents.

Some drivers justify their actions by citing the poor condition of nearby roads and the severe congestion on Ramiro Prialé Avenue. Others confirm the route halves their travel time, though they concede it is not permitted. The anti-flood channels are managed by the Municipality of Lurigancho-Chosica, according to a spokesperson for the National Infrastructure Authority (ANIN).

The trayect allows for a considerable reduction in travel time, although they acknowledged that it is not permitted and that the use of this work represents a risk to the infrastructure and to those who travel through it.

— Vecinos y conductoresDrivers and residents explaining their reasons for using the channel.

The Huaycoloro channel, approximately 10 kilometers long, was built to lessen the impact of potential flash floods during the rainy season. However, access points intended for maintenance are now used by numerous drivers as a quick transit route. The infrastructure was inaugurated in September 2025 with an investment exceeding S/652 million, aiming to benefit over 30,000 residents in Cajamarquilla, Ñaña, Huachipa, and Campoy against extreme weather events in Lima Este.

The use of this work represents a risk to the infrastructure and to those who travel through it.

— Vecinos y conductoresDrivers and residents acknowledging the dangers of using the channel.

Miguel Yamasaki, ANIN's spokesperson, stated that ANIN was responsible for the construction and four-year maintenance of the infrastructure. Subsequently, the project was transferred to the Municipality of Lurigancho-Chosica for administration, security, and control. He expressed regret over the misuse of access points designated solely for maintenance work.

The use of the channel puts the infrastructure and road safety at risk.

— AutoridadesAuthorities warning about the dangers of misusing the channel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La República in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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