Playa del Carmen to Spend 66 Million Pesos on Fifth Avenue and Road Repaving

Juan Novelo Zapata, a councilor in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, who announced a 66 million peso infrastructure package

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Playa del Carmen will steer 66 million pesos redirected from its Annual Operating Program (POA) into three infrastructure projects, including a new overhaul of Fifth Avenue, improvements to the northern stretch of the Arco Vial and the repaving of city streets, councilor Juan Novelo Zapata said.

The money had initially been budgeted in the municipal works program before being withdrawn and subjected to revisions, along with several projects funded through FORTAMUN, the federal fund for municipal strengthening, and FAISMUN, the federal fund for municipal social infrastructure.

Novelo Zapata said he reviewed the progress of municipal works with Planning Secretary Mario Méndez Navarro, and that the meeting also covered how the 66 million pesos and the projects they will finance would be allocated.

He said the total includes revenue from the city’s parking meter concession, which by rule must be spent on mobility measures. In 2025, the municipal government collected 10,398,776 pesos from parking meters, of which 25 percent stays with the city, plus 5,083,200 pesos in fines tied to the use of vehicle immobilization boots — revenue that flows entirely into municipal coffers.

Three Projects

The package covers a fresh round of work on Fifth Avenue, improvements to the northern section of the Arco Vial and repaving on several streets.

On Fifth Avenue, one of Playa del Carmen’s main tourist corridors, Novelo Zapata said part of the investment will correct problems with infrastructure installed during the administration of former mayor Laura Beristain Navarrete, when officials assured residents that the paving stones laid there would last 20 years. He said current conditions make a new intervention necessary to improve both the appearance and the physical state of the avenue.

For the northern Arco Vial, crews will improve circulation and access conditions worn down by the constant flow of heavy vehicles using the road, he said.

The councilor also flagged damage caused by some real estate developers who tear up streets and avenues while installing utilities for new subdivisions. He said those responsible will be summoned to working sessions where they will be required to hand over the affected roads in good condition and repair the damage once their infrastructure work is completed.

By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx