Vialidad

Las maniobras constantes de la maquinaria pesada en el área, bloquean por momentos uno de los carriles de la carretera provocando tráfico.  Foto: Alma Serrano. 

Alma Serrano.- Las obras de construcción de la ciclovía en la carretera Chapala-Jocotepec, en el tramo de la delegación de San Juan Cosalá, ha dificultado la movilidad tanto para los automovilistas como para los peatones. 

Las maniobras que realizan en el área las máquinas, los camiones de volteo y las revolvedoras de cemento, bloquean por momento uno de los carriles de la vía que es muy transitada. 

Las complicaciones también se extienden a los peatones, quienes tienen poco espacio para circular por las orillas, aunado al escombro generado por los trabajos que en ocasiones no es retirado por los encargados de la obra al terminar las faenas. 

Los escombros generados por los trabajos dificultan el tránsito de los peatones por el poco espacio que dejan en el costado de la vía. Foto: Alma Serrano. 

Además de que se dejan alambres expuestos, excavaciones sin señalamientos y herramientas de construcción, lo que ha generado que el área se vuelva peligrosa para los peatones y ciclistas, especialmente por las noches. 

“No está bien que dejen escombro en la carretera porque pasan accidentes, sobre todo por las noches”, comentó una habitante transitaba por la zona. 

De acuerdo con la información de la Secretaría de Infraestructura y Obra Pública de Jalisco (SIOP), el tramo de la ciclovía de San Juan Cosalá registra un avance del 85 por ciento, proyectando su conclusión para finales de marzo. 

Los fines de semana, algunos conductores aprovechan el andador para estacionar sus vehículos sobre la calle Colón. Foto: Miguel Cerna. 

Sofía Medeles.- Debido a que el paso peatonal de la calle Colón, en el centro de la delegación de Ajijic, es frecuentemente invadido, se replanteará el proyecto, informó el encargado de despacho, Maximiliano Macías Arceo. 

Durante los fines de semana, es frecuente ver como el andador, que se extiende por Colón desde el cruce con Hidalgo, hasta el cruce con Del Paseo, no ha cumplido su propósito al no ser respetado por los turistas ni por los comercios locales. 

Macías Arceo aseguró estar al tanto de que el espacio no se ha respetado durante las últimas semanas, destacando que uno de los principales problemas es la falta de agentes viales para la supervisión del área, quienes se encontraban auxiliando el turismo de Chapala y agilizando el tráfico en la carretera Chapala-Jocotepec, a la altura de Ajijic.

“Al principio funcionó muy bien y ahora está descontrolado. La gente sin pena mueve los conos y se estaciona, y como los agentes suelen estar en la zona del muelle, no se dan cuenta de estas acciones. Se va a hablar con el presidente municipal para tomar las acciones convenientes”, señaló el encargado de despacho. 

Precisamente, el entrevistado comentó que con anterioridad se estaba gestionando un proyecto para colocar delimitaciones más sólidas, pero removibles en el andador, mismo que será entregado al presidente Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel para definir si se replantea el paso peatonal o se remueve. 

Desde la colocación del andador en la calle Colón, en noviembre del 2021, semana a semana han aumentado las invasiones tanto por automovilistas como por los comercios. Aunado a esto, Maximiliano Macías aseguró que se han robado conos, pues de los 60 con los que se inició, a la fecha quedan aproximadamente 45.

Por otro lado, Semanario Laguna realizó entrevistas entre los turistas que rondaban la zona, los cuales expresaron no saber la finalidad de los conos, por la falta de señalética del andador, que ha generado que, en lugar de utilizarlo, transiten por plena calle para recorrer la zona centro del Pueblo Mágico.

Alma Serrano.– Since February 11, the «KPetrom» gas station, located on the Chapala-Jocotepec highway, at the crossroads of San Juan Cosalá, has been out of service, due to a workers’ strike for breach of contract. 

According to the notice placed on the dispensing machines, the union of workers and employees in the commerce branch in the state of Jalisco stated that, by agreement of the extraordinary general assembly, all the workers belonging to the company have agreed to call a strike in compliance with the demands of articles 920, 18, 782, 827, 921 of the Federal Labor Law. 

The owners are Bransle, S. de R.L. de C.V., which is in the business of the purchase, sale, and distribution of diesel gasoline, with service station number E11757 and permit number PL/9296/EXP/ES/2015. The legal representative is José Carlos Martín Gonzáles. 

Translated by Colleen Beery

Heavy machines in the area sometimes block one of the lanes of the road causing traffic. Photo by: Alma Serrano.

Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosalá).–  Construction on the bicycle lane on the Chapala-Jocotepec carretera, in San Juan Cosalá has caused difficulty for both motorists and pedestrians. 

Dump trucks and cement mixers are having to enter the car traffic lanes periodically, blocking the already busy road. Pedestrians are also facing obstacles, as there is little space to walk along the edge. Construction debris generated by the work is not always removed at the end of the workday. 

The debris generated by the work makes pedestrian traffic difficult because it blocks space on the left on the side of the road. Photo by: Alma Serrano.

In addition, exposed wires, unmarked excavations, and construction tools are left out; the area is dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, especially at night. «It is not good that they leave debris on the road because accidents happen, especially at night,» commented a resident. 

According to information from the Jalisco Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works (SIOP), the San Juan Cosalá section of the bike path is 85% complete, and is expected to be finished by the end of March. 

Translated by Amy Esperanto

Chapala Mayor Alejandro Aguirre Curiel (left), with Congresswoman Claudia Murguía Torres and the Chief of the State Cabinet, Hugo Luna, after the mayor was informed of the repair approval.

Editor. – Chapala Municipal President Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel has announced approval of a Renovation of Urban Image project for the main street in downtown Chapala. Plans call for cobblestones to be replaced with hydraulic cement. Sidewalks and curbs will also be improved.

“I am very pleased that after presenting joint work projects with the government of Jalisco and the municipality, and thanks to the management of Congresswoman Claudia Murguía Torres, today the Chief of State Cabinet, Hugo Luna, has confirmed to me that the projects were accepted,” Aguirre posted on social networks.  

The Public Works Department of the Municipality of Chapala closed part of Avenida Francisco I. Madero at its intersection with Paseo Ramón Corona in May 2019 to build a crosswalk.

“One of the most important projects is the renovation of Avenida Madero. The cobblestone will be replaced by hydraulic concrete, plus the sidewalks and curbs will be replaced,” he added in his March 2 posting.

In his message he thanked Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez and assured that, “with this support and coordinated work our city and delegations will have better infrastructure that will be good for tourism in the state.”

Chapala Director of Social Communication Elizabeth Oropeza said the municipality is waiting for the state’s Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Works to present the project, which will be adapted by the state agency to the needs of the population.

Translated by Mike Rogers

Chapala City Hall building where on February 28th the councilmen approved the 7.9 million pesos debt.

Arturo Ortega (Chapala).- The Chapala City Council approved a debt of 7,912,060 pesos (about US$378,000) plus interest to fund public works in priority areas of the municipality, during the sixth ordinary council session held on February 28.

The debt, to be paid over a period of three years, will be contracted with the banking institution that submits the proposal with the lowest interest rate. This debt will finance public works specified in the catalog of actions established in the guidelines of the Contribution Fund for Social Infrastructure (FAIS) issued by the Welfare Secretariat.

Prior to the approval of the proposal, the Mayor of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, explained that the resources will be invested in infrastructure projects including drainage, potable water, education and street rehabilitation works, which are considered a priority in Ajijic and Atotonilquillo. 

Translated by MaryAnne Marble

“El largo de mi falda no define el respeto que merezco”, se leyó en uno de los muchos carteles que expresaban su derecho de vestir con libertad.

Redacción. – La manifestación pacífica por parte de las mujeres del municipio de Chapala, con motivo del “Día Internacional de la Mujer” contó con la participación de más de 200 féminas la noche del pasado 8 de marzo. 

El contingente circuló a lo largo de la Avenida Francisco I. Madero de la cabecera municipal hasta llegar al edificio de la alcaldía, donde de manera pública denunciaron abusos en su contra así como los nombres de sus abusadores. 

A continuación te compartimos la galería de imágenes de la manifestación tomadas por Jazmín Stengel:

Cerca de 200 jóvenes mujeres se encontraron frente al Coliseo Benito Juárez el pasado 8M para manifestar sus derechos y exhibir a sus agresores.

Al concluir la manifestación, las protestantes encendieron velas frente al altar de las que “ya no están”, en su memoría.

“Mi cuerpo no quiere tu opinión”, y “Somos el grito de las que no tienen voz”, fueron otras de las consignas presentadas en los carteles.

El ayuntamiento municipal fue cubierto durante más de dos días por carteles de protesta femenina. En una de las puertas fue colocado un altar a las desaparecidas titulado “Disculpen las molestias, nos están matando”. Y “Hasta que no me maten me vas a creer”, se lee rodeado de las 13 impresiones de Alerta Ambar que fueron colocadas.

“Una madre que está criando también está luchando”, escribieron algunas féminas que destacaban la educación antiviolencia para los actuales niños.

“Esta es mi bomba molotov”, una marcha completamente pacífica con fuertes declaraciones de casos en el municipio.

Las jóvenes protestantes formaron un círculo que bloqueó el paso del cruce principal de Francisco I. Madero con calle Morelos por cerca de 10 minutos.

El pelotón de cerca de 200 protestantes fue liderado por integrantes del Instituto de la Mujer en Chapala y activistas.

Casos de acoso y violencia por parte de hijos de funcionarios públicos, funcionarios públicos actuales, profesores y otros fueron exhibidos frente ayuntamiento municipal con el fin de “quemar” los nombres.

Nighttime view on the bicycle path near Villa Nova driving west of Ajijic Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofia Medeles (Chapala).- Lighting will be completed along the bicycle path in Ajijic from Tempisque Street to Villa Nova, said Maximiliano Macias Arceo, who oversees the delegation office.

Last week, public lighting personnel from Chapala evaluated the lighting, wiring and material needs for lights to be installed along the bicycle path. 

The Director of Social Communication, Elizabeth Oropeza Silva, added that the agency is already working on connecting the lights, and that the work will be completed this week. She stated that the lighting has been completed from Francisco I. Madero Avenue at its intersection with Hidalgo Avenue, in the municipal capital, to the Chapala-Jocotepec highway, at its intersection with Tempisque Street where the streetlights end.

There have been frequent daily complaints on social networks from citizens wondering why it has taken so long to connect the lights since the work appears finished. 

Semanario Laguna made a tour of the area observing that it is quite dark. Cyclists who were passing through the area said they had very limited vision and felt they were at risk of being in an accident.

«From the three bridges it is already very dark and dangerous, because on this side people use the bike path as a sidewalk. They don’t see us, and we don’t see them. There have already been cases of bicycles colliding with pedestrians, but there hasn’t been a major accident.  An accident could happen, because someone trying to dodge could get into the road and another accident could occur. Hopefully the authorities will act soon,» shared Andrés, a native of Ajijic, who frequently uses the bicycle path.

The Jalisco government has been in charge of the bicycle path construction that began in October 2019.  The first stage of  8 kilometers from Chapala and to Ajijic was delivered in August 2020 with an investment of 58 million pesos.

Translated by Nita Rudy 

There is still 15 percent to go before the completion of the San Juan Cosalá section of the bicycle lane. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).– The bicycle lane under construction on the Chapala-Jocotepec highway in the San Juan Cosalá section in the municipality of Jocotepec, is 85 percent complete. 

Enrique González Ramírez, head of Social Communication of the Jalisco Secretariat of Infrastructure and Public Works (SIOP), said that by the end of March the project will be completed and handed over to the municipality.

Although last November the bicycle lane was 68 percent complete, in the last three months it only advanced 17 percent, due to setbacks suffered in the section, including the landslides that affected the areas in October and negotiations with the inhabitants of the town. 

The remaining 15 percent of the work  includes the leveling of sidewalks, as well as the replacement of drinking water and drainage pipes. Gonzalez Ramirez said that the bike lane was designed with flexible lines depending on the topography of the site; it will be enclosed by two side curbs, and a red terracotta asphalt seal on the roadway, street lighting, vegetation and road safety devices.

Neighbors and owners of businesses established on the bike path demanded the completion of the road, arguing that they were tired of the traffic and dust generated by the work. 

«I pass by here every day and I just don’t see when they will finish; I see that they keep adding and adding cement, and they don’t stop», commented Ricardo, a bricklayer who passes through this section every day.

Translated by Sydney Metrick

Since its construction, the beltway has had failures; currently, potholes and unevenness make it almost impassable. Photo: Archive.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- The work for the rehabilitation of the five kilometers of Jocotepec’s beltway has been authorized, announced the municipal president José Miguel Gómez López. 

Through a video posted on his social networks, the mayor, who visited the offices of the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Public Works of Jalisco (SIOP) accompanied by General Director of Road infrastructure Omar David Paredes Flores, said that the state government approved «a large investment» for the repair of the road. 

The purpose of the project is to restore the very uneven stretch that extends for five kilometers and that, since its creation in the 2007-2009 administration, was a «poorly done work» that only a year after its inauguration developed so much unevenness and potholes that it has become impossible to travel on, said Gómez López. 

«We are talking about a section of road that is going to be totally fixed, since it was built with many deficiencies and there are flaws and conditions that  are unsafe for anyone traveling along it». 

The president announced that the work will begin this year and, although the amount to be invested has not yet been specified, he explained that the bidding processes are already active and that «it will be a significant amount» of money. 

The Libramiento de Jocotepec has received several minor repairs, the last one  in August 2020, when 500 thousand pesos were spent to repair  a dangerous sinkhole. 

Finally, in the same video, José Miguel Gómez also announced the rehabilitation of the three kilometers of the Huejotitán intersection, especially at its junction with the Guadalajara-Morelia highway. 

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan