The rough edges of a four-hour drive to Chetumal are getting smoother.
With an investment of 100 million pesos, the federal government and the Yucatan transportation ministry will continue its gradual expansion and modernization of the Mérida-Chetumal highway.
Concentrating on nine kilometers / 5.5 miles of road between kilometer 81 to 90, the highway will be widened and paved.
The road will expand from nine to 12 meters wide, with flexible pavement, a hydraulic base and asphalt binder, drainage systems, optical fiber and signage.
Additionally, in response to the request from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, four wildlife passages will be placed, using prefabricated two-by-two-meter concrete tunnels.
To delimit the wildlife crossings, boxes will be placed on both sides of the road, surrounded by concrete poles and barbed wire.
The work on the expansion and modernization of the Mérida-Chetumal highway began in February 2014. Work soon progressed rapidly.
Between 2014 and 2018, 1.7 billion pesos were allocated to modernize and widen 90 kilometers / 56 miles of highway.
Interchanges were modernized and illuminated at Acanceh, Tecoh and Telchaquillo. Distributor roads at Oxkutzcab-Teabo and Tzucacab-Peto were built. Additionally, 38 wildlife passages were built along the highway.
With this year’s investment, a total of 1.7 billion pesos will have been spent on connecting Merida with the capital of Quintana Roo, 380 kilometers / 236 miles away.
With information from a press release issued by the Yucatan transportation ministry.
