Residents of the Los Olivos and San Lucas neighborhoods in the San José de Balzay sector said they continued to face ongoing problems due to the poor condition of their main access road, which had remained unpaved for nearly a decade.
The roughly three-kilometer stretch, running from the San José de Balzay church to the “Y” intersection in San Lucas, remained in disrepair, creating daily challenges for those who relied on it. The road passed homes, agricultural areas, and small workshops, but in several sections it narrowed, making vehicle access difficult, particularly for the limited number of buses serving the area.
Community representative Janeth Toledo said she had submitted multiple requests to authorities, including the Azuay Prefecture, asking for the road to be paved. While officials had most recently indicated that work would take place between May and June, residents expressed concern that the project could face further delays.
Residents said they hoped any improvements would include sidewalks, curbs, and drainage systems to prevent rainwater from accumulating, which had created both safety and health concerns.
Geovanny Nieves, a local resident, said dust from passing vehicles had affected families, especially children, and had contributed to respiratory issues in the community.
Conditions on surrounding roads also remained poor, with some routes described as nearly impassable. Residents also raised concerns about access restrictions, noting that some individuals had blocked public roads with chains.
Public transportation was limited, as many buses stopped near the church rather than continuing to San Lucas due to road conditions. This forced residents, including elderly people and children, to walk long distances.
Security concerns were also raised, with residents reporting recent robberies in the area. Community members called for increased police patrols, as well as the installation of surveillance cameras and alarm systems to improve safety.