The World Bank has approved a significant project aimed at improving road connectivity in northwestern Honduras. The initiative will construct a new road corridor linking the CA-4 highway near Macuelizo with Corinto, enhancing access to Customs and the Puerto Cortés port. This development provides an alternative to the heavily congested San Pedro Sula trade route.
San Pedro Sula is recognized as a key economic center in Honduras but suffers from severe congestion. The city acts as a bottleneck for roads connecting different regions of the country to the Atlantic coast, particularly during frequent heavy rainfalls.
The newly approved project, named the Honduras Sustainable Connectivity Project, involves constructing a 46-kilometer corridor that will connect CA-4 near Macuelizo to CA-13 in Corinto, close to Guatemala's border. This strategic link is expected to facilitate goods transport and boost trade with neighboring countries like El Salvador and Guatemala.
Part of the project includes paving approximately 41 kilometers of deteriorated roadways in Quimistán, Azacualpa, Nueva Frontera, and Macuelizo. This effort aligns with Honduras' Municipal Interconnection Roads Program and aims to make these roads more resilient against climate events while improving access to services and economic opportunities.
Christian Duarte, Minister of Finance of Honduras, expressed gratitude towards the World Bank: “On behalf of the Government of President Xiomara Castro, we would like to thank the World Bank for its invaluable support with the Roads Project.”
The improved infrastructure is anticipated to benefit communities along the corridor where poverty levels are high. Enhanced connectivity is expected to provide better access to services and economic opportunities for local residents.
Additionally, the project includes measures for managing landscapes around the corridor. These measures aim at promoting sustainable activities that support biodiversity conservation and encourage community-based ecotourism initiatives and women's entrepreneurship.
Kinnon Scott, World Bank’s Resident Representative in Honduras, emphasized: “Honduras is facing significant challenges caused by extreme weather events, so a resilient road network that strengthens connectivity and increases trade is of critical importance."
Further information about this project can be found on various platforms provided by The World Bank.