Half of those polled said they were unaware of the project intended to improve the image of Francisco I. Madero Avenue
The project proposes removing paving stone and replacing with concrete on Francisco I. Madero Avenue. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.
Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- Chapala President Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel announced that the paving stones along Francisco I. Madero Avenue will be replaced with concrete by the Government of Jalisco in coordination with the Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Works of the State (SIOP).
The 80 million peso project includes the replacement of the paving stone with cement, the restoration of sidewalks and curbs (machuelos), as well as a subsidy to the merchants to upgrade their image along the Avene.
Laguna surveyed local citizens about their response to the project. Of twenty-two people interviewed in a survey in neighborhoods in the western part of the municipality, half said they were unaware of the plans to remodel Chapala’s main avenue, Francisco I. Madero.
While eight of the people informed about the issue were against it, three others approved of the project.
«As long as they do something, they can do it however they want» or «it would be fine,» were the most heard answers during the tour that Semanario Laguna made along the street.
Two of merchants who heard about it disagreed because concrete absorbs heat, is impermeable and its deterioration is more noticeable.
«The paving stone absorbs water, while concrete does not. The paving stone can be repaired in sections,» argued the owner of a veterinarian’s shop on the avenue, who also has a background in engineering.
A young pharmacist and environmentalist said that these types of materials «affect climate change.”
Others felt that it is an «unnecessary investment» because the paving stone can be lifted in parts, which makes it easier to repair, while the concrete is compacted in one piece, making the deterioration more visible and more expensive to restore, explained a woman interviewed in front of Chapala’s main square.
The project «looks nice, but the joke is that it lasts,» said a vendor near the central plaza. Her neighbor saw the need to give priority to the street repair around downtown, which «looks like you’re riding a donkey” when you drive down the road.
The poor drainage conditions and the slipperiness of the sidewalk tiles also caused a lot of talk. During the rainy season the drains overflow into the commercial businesses in the area.
The sidewalk tiles become slippery when wet, which has already caused several pedestrian accidents, according to neighbors.
«They only fix the showy stuff,» argued Carmen’s husband, accustomed to the fact that public consultations on projects of this type are non-existent in the municipality. To which his wife added: «Hold on! The government always gets its way.»
Translated by Nita Rudy
Los comentarios están cerrados.
© 2016. Todos los derechos reservados. Semanario de la Ribera de Chapala