At least 60% of the streets and avenues in Mérida have potholes, with a total length of almost 2,000 kilometers. The city’s authorities have been unable to respond to complaints about potholes, despite receiving over 5,000 calls from citizens reporting defects in road pavement.
According to official data, at least 60% of the city’s streets and avenues are in a regular, bad, or poor condition, requiring rehabilitation works. The situation has not improved by 2023, with experts estimating that it would take at least 10 years and an investment of 8 billion pesos to fully renovate the infrastructure and solve the backlog.
The city council has reported an annual budget of over 50 million pesos for road maintenance and repair, but this represents only a small percentage of the total road network that requires attention. Experts have warned that the current rate of work is not sufficient to meet the needs of the city’s residents.
Citizens’ reports indicate that the situation did not improve in 2023, with over 80 streets being intervened between September and December, but heavy rainfall in the autumn caused further damage to already damaged areas, affecting motorists and pedestrians.
It is estimated that at least 300 million pesos per year should be allocated for the next 10 years to address the backlog in Mérida’s road network, improve traffic conditions, and raise the quality of life for citizens. However, the city council has failed to allocate sufficient funds, with only a small fraction of the required amount being spent each year.
The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the city’s growth rate is higher than the projected rates, meaning that the actual number of roads in Mérida could be significantly higher than estimated. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the budget and prioritize road maintenance to ensure a better quality of life for citizens.
