Letters addressed to SIOP personnel and to municipal and state governors were presented  protesting the change of the cyclopista through the town instead of along La Paz.

Berenice Barragan (Jocotepe) – residents of San Juan Cosalá demonstrated at Jocotepec City Hall  to protest the rerouting of the bike path through the town, saying it will disrupt their lives and businesses and the fact that they were not consulted.

Last Wednesday, April 28, protesters gathered to present a letter to the current Municipal President, Juan José Ramírez Campos, the Government of Jalisco, Governor Enrique Alfaro and the staff of the Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Works (SIOP), signed by residents of the town complaining about the project and asking the municipal authorities to follow up on their requests.

«We want them to listen to us, to let the people know what they plan to do and to take us into account. They started to open the street without consulting us.»  Said people at the scene.

The  project of  the Government of the State of Jalisco is in its second stage of construction which includes the stretch between Ajijic  and San Juan Cosalá,.  The project managers changed the direction of the bike path from La Paz,  which runs past the Church of San Juan Cosalá Casa de Luz and is the last street before Lakeshore. It will continue to parallel the Carretera as planned.

Some protesters at the demonstration were dismayed that they had to demonstrate because they had already presented their disagreement with the route change to various government agencies several times.  Even with the signed petition letters, some of the protesters believe this measure should have been «unnecessary»  since the government was aware of their complaints.

«In my opinion, it is better to build the street from below. It will only hurt us merchants because people will no longer come to buy from us. I don’t know why they make such a fuss if it’s better this way. commented one of the attendees who is in favor of the project.

The 25-kilometer project will continue along the Chapala Highway, passing through the riverside town, thus giving continuity to the original course.  Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan