On the morning of Wednesday, January 15, 2025, residents of various neighborhoods in the northeast of the municipality of Cuautitlán Izcalli, State of Mexico, blocked the Mexico-Querétaro highway for several hours.
The demonstration was motivated by the delay in the construction of a road project called the La Manga Bypass, planned to connect the Arches of the San Francisco Tepojaco neighborhood with the center of the municipality.
A project pending for 25 years
The La Manga Bypass project was announced more than 25 years ago and, according to protesters, has faced multiple delays and unfulfilled promises. In 2011, the then municipal president, Alejandra del Moral, held a symbolic act to mark the beginning of the work, accompanied by a promotional video. However, since then, progress has been nil.
Neighborhood representative Francisco Juárez said:
“We are holding this demonstration because we have exhausted all the corresponding instances without obtaining a response. Nothing has happened since 2011, and we demand that this project that would improve connectivity in the area be resumed.”
Concerns about another road project
The neighbors also expressed their opposition to an alternative project: a toll highway that would connect Nicolás Romero with Cuautitlán Izcalli. According to them, this new project could negatively affect the viability of the La Manga Bypass, since it would divert resources and government attention.
Response from the authorities
After several hours of blockade, representatives of the Municipal Government of Cuautitlán Izcalli and the State of Mexico went to the place to talk with the protesters. The authorities agreed to hold a meeting to analyze the problem and seek solutions related to the construction of the bypass.
Meanwhile, the Mexico-Querétaro highway was reopened to traffic after the withdrawal of the protesters. Members of the National Guard and the State Police collaborated in restoring traffic.
Source: excelsior
