Quito imposes 160 road closures for Saturday athletics race

The Metropolitan Transit Agency (AMT) in Quito will close 160 streets on Saturday, 11 July, to host a city‑wide athletics race. The operation, starting Friday at 15:00, will involve 103 traffic agents and will secure the route that runs from the historic centre through major avenues such as 10 de Agosto, Amazonas and De los Shyris. Alternative routes are recommended on avenues like Mariscal Sucre and Patria.

Separately, AMT data show that a traffic accident occurs in Quito every 2 hours 21 minutes, and a fatality every 32 hours 53 minutes. Between January and May 2026 the agency recorded 1,573 accidents, 948 injuries and 100 deaths, with men aged 20‑29 and motorcyclists (42% of fatalities) most affected. Excess speed was identified as the primary risk factor, prompting more than 263 speed‑education operations.

Both stories illustrate the city's ongoing challenges in managing road safety during large public events and everyday traffic.