Concern among transporters, travelers, community and tourists.
News Colombia.
The Pan-American Highway, the main artery that connects the cities of Cali and Popayán, will be the scene of important changes with the installation of three new tolls.
This project, led by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) and operated by the concessionaire Vial Nuevo Cauca, seeks to improve the region’s road infrastructure, although it is not without controversy.
The three projected tolls will be located at the following points, one of them already in operation:
- Vereda El Túnel, Cajibió: Located 20 minutes from Popayán, this toll will seek to finance improvements in the road infrastructure of the area.
- Vereda La Agustina, Santander de Quilichao: This toll will be in the jurisdiction of one of the busiest municipalities on the Pan-American Highway.
- Villa Rica: This point is already in operation and will remain as part of the collection system for road maintenance.
When will they start operating?
The socialization of the project will take place on Friday, January 17 in the La Florida village, municipality of Piendamó. During this day, the authorities will present the details to the affected communities.
Although an exact date has not been defined for the start of operations of the new tolls, the governor of Cauca, Octavio Guzmán, has indicated that these will only be viable once the improvement works on the roads are completed, such as the dual carriageway between Santander of Quilichao and Popayán, and the Timbío–El Estanquillo section.
Read: Confirmed double consecutive increase in tolls in Colombia: this is how they will be
The announcement has generated diverse reactions. On the one hand, authorities argue that the region faces a chronic lack of road infrastructure, and tolls are essential to guarantee the maintenance and sustainability of the roads.
On the other hand, cargo and passenger transportation sectors have expressed concern about the increase in operating costs, which could affect the price of products and tickets between Cali and Popayán.
Community leaders have also raised concerns about transparency in project execution and the economic impact on local communities. The authorities have promised dialogue tables to listen to these concerns and seek consensual solutions.
The most expensive tolls in Colombia in 2025
In the context of annual rate increases, these are some of the country’s most expensive tolls for 2025:
- Cisneros (Antioquia): $31,300 for category 1 (cars, campers and trucks).
- Pipiral (Via al Llano): $26,405, after an adjustment of 5.2%.
- Eastern Tunnel (Antioquia): $25,037, connecting Medellín with Rionegro.
- Aburrá (Antioquia): $24,511, located on one of the main roads of the Aburrá Valley.
- Guaico (Risaralda): $23,670, in the Coffee Axis.
The context of the increases
Adjustments to tolls were made in accordance with 2024 inflation, which was 5.2%. According to the Minister of Transportation, María Constanza García, these increases seek to maintain the financial balance of road concessions, although the National Government has promoted measures such as the temporary freezing of contractual increases in certain tolls to mitigate the impact on citizens.
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