Rehabilitation of Bahía Petempich Road Commences with Local Support

In Puerto Morelos, the rehabilitation of the Bahía Petempich road has begun under the direction of Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz. The initiative is supported by local hotel entrepreneurs and the State Public Works Secretariat. The road, which connects to six hotels in the area, has been in a state of severe deterioration due to continuous rainfall since July, according to Axel Rosado Ramírez, Secretary of Public Works of the municipality.

The 4 km road, much of which is at or below the level of the surrounding mangrove forest, has suffered accelerated damage due to the high humidity. Prior agreements have been made with local businessmen to repair the road, especially considering the end-of-year budget has already been used. Hotel owners have agreed to provide materials to elevate the road, while the State Public Works will provide the necessary personnel and machinery.

The rehabilitation is considered a priority for the safety of daily commuters, including both tourists and hotel sector workers. Many of these individuals use their own vehicles, which are further deteriorated by the poor road conditions. Two kilometers of the road are particularly affected as they lie below the mangrove level. Work has already begun on a 400m stretch, with plans to start on two additional sections this week. The process involves lifting the remaining pavement, compacting the ground, and creating an embankment with gravel to raise the road's level.

Despite the temporary inconveniences caused by the construction, the aim is to provide a safer and more durable road for commuters. The current work is considered urgent, but there are also plans for a long-term project. This involves working with the SEOP and the Strategic Projects Agency to evaluate the technical and legal feasibility of a more permanent solution to avoid annual or biennial flooding.

Technical considerations include identifying the most suitable materials for the project and potential use of meshes to protect the road from moisture. Water crossings in the mangrove also need to be considered. Legally, the project must comply with the legislation protecting the mangrove, particularly as parts of the road border the Mangrove National Park, a protected area in Puerto Morelos. The team will need to exercise caution to ensure the protection of this area during the rehabilitation process.