El Salvador is moving forward with a major highway project aimed at easing traffic congestion and strengthening national connectivity: the new Apopa bypass. The project will link the Troncal del Norte with the Pan-American Highway, offering a faster alternative for drivers traveling toward Chalatenango and northern regions of the country.
According to Minister of Public Works Romeo Rodríguez, “We are working to address several problems, including traffic. We now have more than 2 million vehicles circulating on the country’s streets.” The 4-kilometer bypass will begin along the Carretera de Oro near Los Sevillas, close to the Apopa overpass, and extend north to Brisas del Norte, just meters from the turnoff to Tonacatepeque.
The infrastructure will include the construction of 12 bridges, a key component designed to improve connectivity and traffic flow. Officials say the project will allow drivers heading north to avoid entering the heavily congested Troncal del Norte, significantly reducing commute times for families in Apopa.
The bidding process has drawn strong interest from the private sector. “For section one, 25 companies submitted expressions of interest, and for section two, 24 did,” Rodríguez explained, adding that firms recently met with authorities to clarify questions before formal bidding documents are released.
The project also includes drainage improvements and grade-separated solutions in critical areas to prevent flooding during the rainy season, reinforcing the government’s broader strategy to modernize transportation infrastructure across El Salvador.