La Pera-Cuautla Highway Renovations to Benefit 900,000

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Jorge Nuño Lara inaugurated renovations at La Pera-Cuautla highway, which connects Cuautla with Cuernavaca, Morelos. They also presented a project that aims to help travelers save over 30 minutes in transportation time. 

The project involved the construction of wildlife crossings to promote conservation and development of the ecosystem in protected areas of the region, Nuño explained. It also involved the construction of an emergency ramp for the containment of vehicles suffering from brake problems. 

The project was pivotal to the creation of over 10,000 direct jobs and more than 41,000 indirect jobs and was managed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation (SICT). It represented a MX$4.4 billion (US$220 million) investment from the Infrastructure National Fund (FONADIN) to expand the highway by 27.2 kilometers, add two lanes to create a four-lane road and build 7 km of side streets and three uneven junctions. 

“A work that began over 10 years ago is now completed; it is the modernization of the 160D La Pera-Cuautla highway. The works began in 2011 but were suspended on different occasions and it was not until February 2021, when you, Mr. President, instructed the SICT to conclude it this year. Rest assured that the various environmental mitigation measures and social commitments will be addressed and concluded," said Nuño via a SICT press release. 

Nuño attributed the construction’s success to the General Direction of Highways (which is part of SICT), the Morelos state government, the National Bank of Works and Services (BANOBRAS), the Federal Roads and Bridges (CAPUFE), the Agrarian Attorney's Office and construction companies. However, he highlighted that the contribution of the inhabitants of the municipality of Tepoztlan, its towns and neighborhoods was vital for its completion. 

"This highway will shorten the journey between Mexico City, Tepoztlan and Cuautla by just over 30 minutes, improving connectivity in the region," said Nuño.