**La Transpeninsular: A Highway in Disrepair and Danger**
Residents of Northern Baja California Sur have highlighted the alarming state of the Transpeninsular Highway, which serves as the main communication route across the Baja Peninsula. Describing it as hazardous due to large unrepaired potholes, locals emphasize that federal authorities have neglected maintenance throughout the year. Governor Víctor Castro Cosío acknowledged the lack of maintenance on the 713 kilometers of the highway managed by the state, citing insufficient resources from the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT).
The infrastructure’s deterioration has transformed it into a perilous route, with multiple accidents reported in recent months. Mulegé, in particular, has witnessed tragic incidents, including a devastating crash on kilometer 91 of the Vizcaíno-San Ignacio stretch, which claimed the lives of a family of five.
Governor Castro revealed having confronted federal authorities following public outcry, only to learn about the lack of funds for maintenance. He expressed hope that the upcoming administration, led by President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, who pledged in her campaign to upgrade the 1,700-kilometer Transpeninsular Highway, would address the dire situation.
Despite acknowledging the poor road conditions, Castro refuted claims linking potholes directly to accidents, attributing them instead to driver error. Meanwhile, the local health department lacks precise data on the number of fatalities and crashes along the highway, with incomplete disclosure from the National Guard complicating the issue.
**Senate and Business Community Voice Concerns**
The issue of the Transpeninsular Highway’s neglect has reached the Senate, where Guadalupe “Lupita” Saldaña Cisneros, a senator and state president of the National Action Party, advocated for immediate corrective measures. She criticized the federal government for failing to maintain a road crucial to the region’s economic development and safety. Saldaña urged the Secretary of Finance to explain the indefinite suspension of the National Road Conservation Program for 2024, questioning the allocation of funds initially intended for infrastructure maintenance.
The business community also voiced concerns, highlighting how the deteriorating road conditions directly affect commerce. Juan Carlos Esqueda Hampl, a councilor for the National Chamber of Commerce, noted the universal deterioration across Mexico’s road network—with Baja California Sur being particularly vulnerable due to its isolation. He advocated for swift action to ensure safe transit and mitigate rising transportation costs impacting consumer prices.
David Alejandro Gracia Hinojosa, from the Chamber of the Restaurant and Condimented Food Industry, echoed these sentiments, drawing attention to logistical challenges and increased operational costs due to prolonged delivery times caused by the highway’s condition.
The evident urgency for repairs and maintenance calls for prompt governmental intervention to safeguard travelers and support the economic stability of Baja California Sur. As discussions continue, residents and businesses remain hopeful for a timely resolution.