The roads in the southern part of Veracruz are in terrible condition, affecting competitiveness and prolonging delivery times for goods. This situation doubles travel times and puts drivers at risk.
“In the southern part of Veracruz, we are condemned by the roads,” warns Claudio Velasco Martell, president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) of Coatzacoalcos. He emphasizes that the land routes in this oil-rich area are in a terrible state of conservation.
Worst Roads in Veracruz
In an interview, Velasco Martell detailed that the worst roads are those connecting Minatitlán and Coatzacoalcos, as well as the road from Coatzacoalcos to Tabasco. He highlighted the collapse on the highway to Puebla at the Maltrata peaks, which underscored the need for better roads. The closure caused serious damage as it is a crucial route to the south-southeast of the country.
While expanding the network would be ideal, Velasco Martell believes it is more realistic to rehabilitate the existing roads. He noted that the roads connecting Minatitlán with Coatzacoalcos and Coatzacoalcos with Tabasco are in poor condition.
Impact on Competitiveness
Velasco Martell stressed that the poor state of the roads affects competitiveness and prolongs delivery times, doubling travel time and putting drivers at risk. He explained that Coatzacoalcos produces over 80% of the materials that can be transformed, making it a key chemical and petrochemical area. These materials are transported by rail or road, with the latter being particularly challenging.
The rail system continues to operate, but increasing its capacity is difficult due to a lack of tank cars and track layout issues. Some clients cannot receive products by rail, necessitating the use of tankers, which complicates delivery and increases costs.
Need for Road Maintenance
Velasco Martell explained that while more roads would be ideal, the reality is that existing roads need proper maintenance. He pointed out that having more roads in poor condition would not solve the problem. He expressed a desire for better connectivity with the southeast through a four-lane highway from Coatzacoalcos, as well as a different exit for the railroad to bypass the city.
In summary, the poor road conditions in southern Veracruz are a significant issue for businesses and transporters, affecting competitiveness and delivery times. Proper maintenance and rehabilitation of existing roads are crucial to addressing these challenges.
Source: Diario de Xalapa
