(C) Diario El Mundo

SAN SALVADOR – Dongbu Corporation, a leading South Korean construction firm, has officially surpassed the 50% completion mark on the Los Chorros road and bridge expansion project in El Salvador. The project, which is a cornerstone of the Salvadoran government’s infrastructure revitalization strategy, remains on track for completion by the end of this year.

In a recent interview with Latin American media outlet Infobae, Romeo Rodríguez, El Salvador’s Minister of Public Works and Transportation, confirmed the steady progress. "The Los Chorros road project has reached the 50% completion threshold," Rodríguez stated. "Given the current pace of development, we expect to see the full completion of the works within this calendar year."

A Strategic Link for National Growth
The Los Chorros project is far more than a simple road widening effort; it is a vital engineering feat designed to modernize the infrastructure of the Los Chorros region, located west of the capital, San Salvador. The scope of the work spans a 14.64-kilometer stretch and includes both the expansion of existing roadways and the construction of high-capacity bridges.

For decades, the Los Chorros corridor has been notorious for chronic traffic congestion and safety concerns due to the mountainous terrain and high vehicle volume. As a primary artery connecting the capital to the western regions of the country, the bottleneck has long been cited as a significant hurdle to El Salvador’s domestic trade and logistical efficiency.

Upon completion, the project is expected to:

Drastically reduce commute times for thousands of Salvadorans.
Enhance road safety through modernized engineering standards.
Boost regional economic activity by facilitating the faster movement of goods and services.

Fueling International Cooperation
The project, valued at approximately 4900 billion KRW (approx. $370 million USD), stands as a testament to the strengthening economic ties between South Korea and Central America.

Financing for this massive undertaking is a collaborative international effort. It is supported by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), managed by the Export-Import Bank of Korea, in partnership with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). This financial synergy underscores South Korea’s commitment to supporting sustainable development in emerging markets through high-quality infrastructure.

Dongbu Corporation’s involvement is particularly significant as it represents the "K-Construction" brand’s expanding footprint in Latin America. By successfully navigating complex geographical challenges and maintaining a strict timeline, Dongbu is proving the reliability and technical prowess of Korean engineering on the global stage.

The Road Ahead
As the project enters its final phase, the Salvadoran government and Dongbu Corporation are focusing on the construction of the major viaducts, which are considered the most technically demanding segments of the route. These bridges are designed to bypass areas prone to landslides, ensuring that the road remains operational even during the region’s intense rainy seasons.

Minister Rodríguez emphasized that the government is closely monitoring the site to ensure that quality and safety standards are upheld. "This is a transformative project for our people," he added. "The collaboration with Dongbu Corporation has allowed us to implement advanced construction technologies that will serve El Salvador for generations to come."

With the 50% milestone now in the rearview mirror, all eyes are on the final months of 2026. If the current momentum holds, the inauguration of the Los Chorros corridor will likely be celebrated as one of the most significant infrastructure achievements in El Salvador’s modern history, marking a new era of mobility and economic connectivity for the nation.

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