The billionaire investment that the Meta guilds ask the Abelardo De la Espriella government to repair critical points of the road to Llano

The government of incoming President Abelardo De la Espriella faces mounting pressure to allocate 10 billion pesos to repair critical sections of the Vía al Llano, one of Colombia’s most vital transportation corridors. The request comes from local watchdog groups and industry associations in the Meta department, who argue that urgent investment is needed to complete the dual carriageway between El Boquerón and Cáqueza and to address deteriorating infrastructure prone to closures due to weather-related incidents. According to Orlando Barbosa Villalba, president of the Citizen Road Oversight Board of Meta, the funds would cover five billion pesos for finishing the dual carriageway project and another five billion for repairing high-risk areas along the route. The Vía al Llano spans 31.9 kilometers and has long been a strategic artery connecting several regions, yet its frequent disruptions have caused economic and logistical challenges. Three studies have already been conducted to assess the road's condition: one by Fonade in 2014, another by the current concessionaire, Coviandina, in 2022, and a third commissioned last year by the outgoing administration of President Gustavo Petro. The latest study was carried out by the Consorcio BT-05 consulting firm under contract with the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) for 6.346 billion pesos. However, the project remains stalled pending financial structuring after the national government suspended the agreement in December 2025 due to budget constraints, according to Barbosa. Among the most pressing repairs required are the section around kilometer 18, between Chipaque and Cáqueza, which collapsed on September 5, 2025. Despite commitments from the previous government to provide preliminary designs for this segment, no studies have been completed, and the estimated cost for recovery is 60 billion pesos. Another critical area is the Estaquecá ravine between Puente Quetame and Guayabetal, which has been closed since July 2023 following a massive landslide. Experts, including officials from ANI and Coviandina, suggest constructing a tunnel here, valued at approximately 1 billion pesos. Further complications arise near kilometer 58 in Guayabetal, where the collapse of Tunnel 13 and the bridge linking it to Tunnel 14 has blocked access to nearly five kilometers of road, from the new Chirajara Bridge to Quebradablanca. Repairing these structures is estimated to require 400 billion pesos. Additional funding of 3.5 billion pesos is needed for other critical points along the corridor, according to Barbosa. He noted that while the previous government had pledged 300 billion pesos for improvements over four years, only 40 billion has been allocated so far. The ongoing issues with the Vía al Llano have had measurable impacts on tourism in the Meta region, as highlighted by data from Coviandina showing a decline in private vehicle traffic over the past six years. This has affected local economies reliant on travel and transport through the corridor. The situation underscores the urgency of addressing infrastructure deficiencies before they lead to more severe consequences for regional connectivity and economic activity. The call for immediate action follows repeated disruptions caused by landslides and extreme weather conditions, which have rendered parts of the road impassable for extended periods. These interruptions have forced alternative routes to be used, increasing travel times and costs for both commercial and personal vehicles. With the new administration set to take office soon, the demand for substantial investment in the Vía al Llano is growing louder among stakeholders who see the corridor as essential for regional development and stability.