Lawmaker Urges Immediate Action on Highway Sinkholes

The National Tourism Promotion Fund was previously tasked with repairing a sinkhole on federal highway 307, which connects Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. This highway is a vital link between the county of Solidaridad and Cancún International Airport. Quintana Roo's Secretary of Public Works, Irazú Sarabia, acknowledged this in response to questions about the lack of maintenance on the highway during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration. Sarabia was questioned about failed attempts to repair the sinkhole near Playa Paraíso in Playa del Carmen, and the overall maintenance of the road that connects Quintana Roo's 11 counties.

Lawmaker Filberto Martínez Méndez argued that with political will, the Quintana Roo Government could resolve the issue, which has led to fatal car accidents, particularly near the Iberostar hotel. Martínez Méndez stressed the importance of ongoing maintenance for state roads and suggested potential collaborations with the federation and counties to ensure these spaces are kept clean and safe. He emphasized that the state has the power to save lives and maintain tourist loyalty through good road conditions, but it requires political will.

Sarabia defended the state government's efforts, stating that although the initial responsibility fell on the National Tourism Promotion Fund, it now lies with the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation and some neighboring counties. She admitted that patching had been carried out, but it was not a permanent solution. She assured that the issue is being analyzed and updates would be provided when relevant.

Sarabia also addressed the state of other roads, asserting that the government is working to maintain them. However, she acknowledged that it is impossible to address years of neglect within a single year.

Martínez Méndez insisted that the state could initiate repairs, even without federal funding for reconstruction. He cited the example of a 3.5-kilometer bridge in the county of Solidaridad, which was built by the federal government but not inaugurated due to lack of public lighting. The county of Solidaridad eventually provided the lighting, allowing the project to be inaugurated by the federal government. Martínez Méndez concluded by encouraging the state to take decisive action.