New Bypass Planned as Playa del Carmen Traffic Overflows

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Local officials, engineering associations, and private stakeholders are collaborating on plans for a new traffic bypass in Playa del Carmen. The initiative comes in response to Avenida 115—long relied upon as the city’s primary congestion relief route—having now surpassed its traffic capacity. As such, officials agree that the right-of-way designated for the Maya Train can no longer accommodate additional road infrastructure.

Infrastructure Strains Under Rapid Growth

Mario Alejandro Moguel Rosado, president of the Riviera Maya College of Civil Engineers, explained that Playa del Carmen’s explosive expansion has significantly outpaced the city’s existing mobility framework. “Bridges were added to the highway, but they’re already overwhelmed,” he said. “Our so‑called ‘Bypass’ on Avenida 115 now takes longer to traverse than the highway itself.” He confirmed that earlier plans to repurpose the Maya Train’s rail corridor for road use have been ruled out.

The city is developing a new Urban Development Plan (PDU), designed to guide growth through 2050. Moguel Rosado emphasized the necessity of synchronizing the bypass proposal with the PDU, explaining that it is “not just about constructing roads,” but rather shaping long-term urban mobility and development.

What the Proposed Bypass Could Mean

Though details remain under discussion, planners expect the bypass to alleviate traffic congestion and improve vehicle flow through priority corridors. Municipal authorities have yet to announce a definitive timeline or budget, but the proposal is already part of a broader package of nearly 100 million pesos allocated for infrastructure improvements in 2025—including pavement repairs, curbing, and sidewalks on Avenue 115. However, those funds are designated for rehabilitation, not new construction.

Why Now?

Avenida 115—built as a backup to Highway 307—initially helped distribute traffic from tourists and commuters. Over time, as population and tourism rose, the bypass became congested. Recent sinkholes, rapid urbanization, and increased deliveries and services have rendered it inadequate. With the Maya Train now fully operational between Cancún and Playa del Carmen since February 2024, its route cannot be used for vehicles.

Local engineers and city planners are urging swift action. If approved and built, the bypass could ease pressure on both the highway and the city grid. It would also reinforce Playa del Carmen’s broader strategy to modernize mobility solutions in alignment with the forthcoming PDU and regional connectivity projects.

With coordination between mobility plans and the urban development roadmap, the bypass represents more than a traffic solution—it could redefine how Playa del Carmen grows and moves into the future.