Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa announced the start of construction on the Isla Blanca highway, a project aimed at transforming mobility in the continental zone of Isla Mujeres and boosting economic development along the entire corridor.
The highway will span 25 kilometers (15.5 miles). This year, work will focus on the first and second stages, covering approximately 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) with an investment of more than 183 million pesos (about $9.1 million). The project includes earthworks, drainage systems, street lighting, and an asphalt concrete roadway that will be widened from two to four lanes, along with bike lanes, sidewalks, and a central median.
“Isla Blanca is developing more and more; this growth demands long-term planning: modern, safe, and orderly connectivity. That’s why this project is being built with the support of President Claudia Sheinbaum as a priority of the Government of Mexico to strengthen the development of Quintana Roo,” Lezama said.
The project will be carried out by the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), in coordination with the state government through the SEOP, and will involve three Quintana Roo companies — two from Cancún and one from Chetumal.
The first stage is expected to be completed by November. Construction will generate around 14,000 jobs and allow for daily traffic of up to 22,000 vehicles, facilitating the movement of tourists, workers, residents, and suppliers.
Lezama also noted that innovative technologies for sargassum management will be incorporated into the project.
Officials highlighted that the highway will positively impact key areas such as Costa Mujeres, Playa Mujeres, Punta Sam, and the continental zone of Isla Mujeres — regions with high tourism potential that currently average 85% hotel occupancy and receive nearly 6 million visitors annually, generating an economic spillover of more than 25 billion pesos (about $1.25 billion).
