Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa inspected the reconstruction of the Subteniente López Bridge on the Mexico-Belize border, a federal project with a budget of 42 million pesos (approximately $2.1 million) that is currently 37% complete.
Impact on Local Economy and Trade
The bridge over the Río Hondo, located about 12 kilometers from Chetumal, aims to revive the economy of the Santa Elena community. The crossing had been closed to heavy truck traffic since 2013, hurting local commerce.
Lezama said the closure weakened the local economy. “When it closed, some businesses practically died,” she said. She credited President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo for securing federal funding for the project.
According to the state’s Sustainable Urban Territorial Development Secretariat (SEDETUS), replacing the metal structure will restore the flow of goods and tourism between Quintana Roo and Belize.
Technical Details
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) said the project replaces the old bridge deck with a modern structural slab with a 4-centimeter-thick pavement. The design includes 2.6-meter-wide pedestrian sidewalks and safety railings on both sides. The upgrades will allow heavy trucks to cross again, improving regional connectivity alongside the Chactemal crossing.
- Total investment: 42 million pesos from federal funds via SICT
- Progress: 37% physical completion
- Main benefit: Resumption of heavy truck traffic and strengthened border tourism
- Historical context: The bridge is 64 years old and holds symbolic value for southern Quintana Roo
