WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will significantly increase spending on roads, streets and public squares in 2027, with the total budget rising from more than XCG 52 million this year to more than XCG 75 million next year. The increase of more than XCG 22 million represents growth of over 40 percent as the government seeks to tackle years of deferred road maintenance.
The funding is divided between the ordinary budget and the capital investment budget of the Ministry of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning (VVRP).
Almost XCG 24 million has been allocated to roads, streets and public squares under the ordinary budget for 2027, compared with more than XCG 17 million this year. Capital investments will increase from more than XCG 35 million in 2026 to over XCG 51 million next year.
However, not all of the XCG 75 million represents money that will be physically spent on asphalt, road repairs or traffic infrastructure. More than XCG 7 million of the ordinary budget consists of depreciation related to existing infrastructure.
Excluding depreciation, nearly XCG 68 million will be available for maintenance, goods and services and new road investments. Approximately XCG 45 million was available for those purposes in 2026, meaning funding directly related to maintenance and investment will increase by roughly half.
The largest portion of the investment budget will go to the Multi-Year Road Maintenance Program, known as the MOP. Almost XCG 51 million has been reserved for the program in 2027, while approximately XCG 52 million annually is projected for subsequent years.
The program focuses on reconstructing existing roads, eliminating accumulated maintenance backlogs and gradually paving unpaved roads in residential neighborhoods and outlying areas.
The government says many unpaved roads are currently in poor condition. Heavy rainfall can make them difficult to use and cause erosion and mud, while dry conditions generate significant amounts of dust. Authorities also identify skidding hazards, vehicle damage and reduced accessibility for residents and emergency services as concerns.
The specific unpaved roads to be tackled in 2027 have not yet been identified. Projects will be selected later according to government priorities.
The increase forms part of a broader expansion of funding for Public Works. Ordinary expenditures for the department are expected to rise from nearly XCG 29 million in 2026 to almost XCG 38 million next year, while investments will increase from approximately XCG 36 million to more than XCG 52 million.
Combined, Public Works spending and investments will exceed XCG 90 million in 2027, compared with nearly XCG 65 million this year.