### Macroplaza Pedestrian Bridge to Feature Universal Accessibility
After more than a decade of civic requests demanding the construction of a pedestrian bridge near the Macroplaza shopping center in Tijuana, the project is now underway, complying with universal accessibility standards. Regidora Gina Arana clarified this point amidst the discontent expressed by various civil associations.
Stephanie Medina, leading the Alliance for Active Mobility (AMA), argued that the pedestrian bridge isn’t a truly inclusive solution for people with disabilities. Medina suggested that a zebra crossing with pedestrian traffic lights would be a more appropriate and cost-effective alternative for the municipality’s resources.
In contrast, Arana, who chairs the Mobility Commission, explained that the pedestrian bridge has been designed for safety and incorporates universal design standards, in coordination with the Metropolitan Planning Institute (IMPLAN). The bridge will feature a ramp suitable for people with motor disabilities or the elderly along with spiral staircases on the sides.
“It wasn’t possible to install a zebra crossing or a traffic light at the location due to the high speeds of vehicles descending from the bridge. This would have been more hazardous for pedestrians and could have caused increased traffic congestion,” Arana explained.
She also mentioned that, since November 2021, requests from residents and parents of students attending Cecyte and Cobach schools in the area have highlighted the necessity of the pedestrian bridge due to crossing dangers. “Students were risking their lives to catch their buses,” she stated. Additionally, over 7,000 signatures were collected through a Change.org petition initiated by a local youth to advocate for the bridge’s construction.
The bridge is critical not just for the high schools but also because the area encompasses the Escuela Normal Fronteriza, Culinary Art School, DIF Rehabilitation Center, IMSS Regional Hospital N. 1, Castro Limón Foundation, and numerous businesses.
With over 100,000 residents, 60,000 daily motorists on Boulevard Manuel J. Clouthier, and more than 5,000 pedestrians crossing daily, the infrastructure project started in July represents a significant investment of 27.4 million pesos, according to local authorities.
Tijuana’s Mayor Montserrat Caballero noted that the citizen-requested project has been 13 years in the making and has now reached over 30% completion. “Most locals are pleased with this development. Although it won’t be completed within the current administration, it has been fully funded,” she remarked.
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### Related News: Challenges and Considerations in Urban Planning
In related updates, the construction of a proposed elevated viaduct in Cañón Zapata faces delays due to a backlog in planning, which might postpone its opening. Local officials state that substantial public investments are required to resolve infrastructural issues and improvements in urban mobility.
Meanwhile, La Paz is experiencing economic hits among local businesses due to insufficient planning in public works, underscoring the need for thorough pre-construction assessments to mitigate negative impacts on commerce.
Additionally, Tijuana’s council members are now mandated to justify any absences from Cabildo sessions, as directed by Mayor Montserrat Caballero in another bid to ensure accountability in local governance.
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