New Bypass Planned as Playa del Carmen Traffic Overflows

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Municipal authorities, professional associations, and private stakeholders are reviewing plans for a new bypass in Playa del Carmen, as Avenida 115—the city’s primary traffic relief route—has exceeded its capacity. The proposed project comes as the right-of-way for the Maya Train can no longer be utilized for additional road infrastructure.

Infrastructure Struggles to Keep Pace with Growth

Mario Alejandro Moguel Rosado, president of the Riviera Maya College of Civil Engineers, stated that the city’s rapid expansion has outpaced existing mobility solutions.

“Bridges were added to the highway, but they’re already overwhelmed. We have the so-called ‘Bypass’ of Avenida 115, which now takes longer to traverse than the highway itself,” he explained. “There were plans to use the Maya Train’s right-of-way, but we’ve confirmed that’s no longer an option.”

The Maya Train’s route was partially built along an avenue originally designated as a bypass in the current Urban Development Plan (PDU). With a new PDU under development, officials emphasize the need to integrate multimodal transportation solutions.

Coordination Between Mobility Plans and Urban Development

While the local government works on a parallel mobility program in collaboration with various unions, Moguel Rosado stressed the importance of aligning these efforts with the forthcoming PDU.

“We must work hand-in-hand with the PDU, which isn’t just about development and construction. It’s a guiding framework for the city that will shape growth until 2050,” he said.

The new bypass proposal aims to address congestion and improve traffic flow as Playa del Carmen continues to expand. Further details on the project’s timeline and funding remain under discussion.