Autopista Regional del Centro
The Autopista Regional del Centro (Central Regional Highway), also known as the Autopista Caracas-Valencia, is the main and most heavily traveled highway in Venezuela. It connects the cities of Caracas, Maracay, and Valencia, as well as several smaller towns. The highway is part of Venezuela's National Trunk Road 1 and links the Central Region with the Capital Region, North-Eastern Region, and Central-Western Region.
Overview
The Autopista Regional del Centro allows travel between Caracas and Valencia in just 2 hours. It spans 155 kilometers (96 miles) and was designed for a maximum flow of 25,000 vehicles, though by the end of the first decade of the 21st century, this capacity had been far exceeded with nearly 60,000 vehicles using it daily.
History
Construction of the highway began in the 1950s and continued through the 1960s, although studies for the project were completed as early as 1948. The first section, a 22-kilometer stretch from Encrucijada de Cagua to the Tapa-Tapa sector, was inaugurated in December 1957. The remaining works were completed in 1961.
Route
The highway begins (kilometer 0) at the Las Gaviotas distributor in Caracas, where the Valle-Coche Highway ends and connects with the Pan-American Highway. It terminates in the industrial areas at the San Blas Distributor in Valencia.
Major exits and access points include:
Miranda State:
- Baruta (Hoyo de la Puerta Distributor)
- Altos Mirandinos (Cortada del Guayabo Distributor)
- Valles del Tuy (Los Totumos Distributor)
Aragua State:
- Maracay
Carabobo State:
- Mariara
- Valencia (multiple access points)
Infrastructure
The highway features several tunnels, including ones in Carabobo State. It also connects to other major highways, such as the San Diego-Puerto Cabello Highway.
Economic Importance
The Autopista Regional del Centro plays a crucial role in Venezuela's transportation infrastructure. It facilitates the movement of goods and people between major industrial and commercial centers, including Maracay, which is known for its paper, textile, chemical, and food processing industries.
Future Development
As of 2024, there are no publicly announced plans for major expansions or modifications to the highway. However, given its importance and the fact that it operates well beyond its original designed capacity, improvements may be necessary in the future to accommodate increasing traffic demands.