Quito to Expand Roads Near Bicentennial Park Amid Project Concerns

Quito's municipality is moving forward with a plan to extend three key avenues in the city's north, aiming to enhance urban mobility and create new connections. The project involves prolonging Amazonas Avenue, Real Audiencia Avenue, and Rafael Aulestia street, with Amazonas Avenue set to extend approximately 2.2 kilometers from the Metropolitan Convention Center to Luis Tufiño street, forming part of the northern ring road. Real Audiencia Avenue will be extended by 920 meters, and Rafael Aulestia street by about 1.5 kilometers, both designed to link Galo Plaza Lasso Avenue with Luis Tufiño street.

The proposed design for these extensions includes four vehicle lanes, a parking lane, a central median, a dedicated cycle path, and a boulevard adjacent to the Bicentennial Park. The extension of Amazonas Avenue alone carries an estimated budget of nearly seven million dollars. As a preliminary step, the municipality has already demolished 14 sheds within the park, stating they had reached the end of their useful life and that the work aims to reclaim spaces from the former airport.

However, the project has sparked significant debate and concern among citizens and local collectives. Their primary worry centers on the potential impact these new roadways will have on the Bicentennial Park, a vital green space in Quito. These groups are reportedly considering legal action, seeking support from the Ombudsman's office.

Mobility expert Andrés Castillo emphasizes that the project requires a comprehensive evaluation beyond just road construction, considering its effects on overall mobility, urban planning, and public spaces. While he acknowledges that extending Amazonas Avenue could improve connectivity and distribute traffic more effectively, Castillo stresses that the ultimate outcome hinges on whether the project integrates public transport, pedestrian access, and cycling facilities. "If the work solely aims to move more cars, I have my reservations. But if it is part of an integral mobility plan where public transport, pedestrians, and bicycles are strengthened, I consider it a positive intervention," he explained. Castillo also cautioned about the risk of "induced demand," a phenomenon where increased road capacity can inadvertently attract more traffic, potentially negating the intended benefits.