SICT Inspects Veracruz Bridge Rehab, Port Access Interchange

The Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT) Jesús Esteva toured Veracruz to inspect two high-impact works already reshaping regional mobility: the 90%-complete first-stage rehabilitation of the Antonio Dovalí Jaime bridge and the 51%-complete Port of Veracruz access interchange, a MX$788 million (US$43.31 million) project designed to cut trips by up to 25 minutes.

SICT reports that modernization works on the Antonio Dovalí Jaime Bridge, located in Minatitlan and in service for 40 years, are intended to strengthen structural safety and extend the bridge’s useful life. According to the ministry, the project has generated 750 jobs and is 90% complete in a first stage that includes the replacement of six stay cables. The works are expected to benefit residents in Minatitlan, Ixhuatlan del Sureste, and Cosoleacaque.

SICT says the Antonio Dovalí Jaime Bridge is the first cable-stayed bridge built in Mexico. The structure crosses the Coatzacoalcos River and measures 1,170m in total length, with 14 spans. Maintenance works include replacing the bridge’s 68 stay cables with high-strength, durable prestressing steel, and implementing a monitoring system to detect alerts and track the bridge’s structural behavior.

Esteva also reviewed advances on the Port of Veracruz Access Road Interchange, which SICT said is 51% complete and will benefit 780,441 residents, particularly in Veracruz, Medellin, Jamapa, and Boca del Rio.

The ministry reports that ongoing works include construction of a stormwater collector, as well as work on slabs, diaphragms, girders, and piles on sections identified as bodies A and B. SICT also cited the placement of 78 girders out of a total of 132, along with hydraulic base formation along the mainline of body B.

SICT says the 1.9km project is designed to boost local economic activity, improve mobility by connecting with other roads, and reduce travel times by 25 minutes for users.

The project’s total investment was reported at MX$788 million, with MX$312 million (US$17.15 million) executed during 2025. SICT also says that the project will create 16,318 jobs during construction, while also providing a breakdown of 13,264 direct and 13,054 indirect jobs.

The interchange forms part of Federal Highway MEX-140 and is expected to connect with highway corridor No. 5 Veracruz–Monterrey with a branch to Matamoros and corridor No. 13 Acapulco–Veracruz.

SICT also highlights broader bridge works carried out in 2025, reporting attention to 135 bridges with a total investment of MX$2,105 million (US$115.7 million). The ministry says these maintenance works covered 10km in length and generated 5,473 jobs. Among the largest efforts cited were the reconstruction works on 68 bridges in Guerrero damaged by Hurricanes John and Otis, with investment of MX$1,682 million (US$92.4 million). SICT reports interventions over 4.6km and the creation of 639 jobs.

As part of its tour and regional follow-up, SICT also reports in its social media account, the completion of conservation works on the Xalapa–Veracruz highway, specifically the Tamarindo–Cabeza Olmeca section, as part of ongoing rehabilitation of Veracruz’s Federal Highway Network.