Page "Transport in Colombia" Paragraph 15

The three main north-south highways are the Caribbean, Eastern, and Central Trunk Highways ( troncales ).

Estimates of the length of Colombia's road system in 2004 ranged from 115, 000 kilometers to 145, 000 kilometers, of which fewer than 15 percent were paved.

However, according to 2005 data reported by the Colombian government, the road network totaled 163, 000 kilometers, 68 percent of which were paved and in good condition.

The increase may reflect some newly built roads.

President Uribe has vowed to pave more than 2, 500 kilometers of roads during his administration, and about 5, 000 kilometers of new secondary roads were being built in the 2003 – 6 period.

Despite serious terrain obstacles, almost three-quarters of all cross-border dry cargo is now transported by road, 105, 251 metric tons in 2005.