By Fernando Ojeda Llanes
Following my recent piece on the problem of yellow buoys invading Avenida Aviación to prioritize the Ie-Tram, I received numerous comments from readers. Many highlighted the lack of police surveillance, particularly at corners where cars are parked without respecting the ten-meter rule, creating hazards for motorists and pedestrians.
I previously discussed similar issues in the Mexico neighborhood, where beautiful houses were demolished to make way for offices, leading to streets clogged with parked cars, reducing visibility and causing accidents.
Now, let’s turn to Paseo de Montejo. First, a quick lesson in urban design: a street is an urban road for vehicles and pedestrians, typically narrow, with sidewalks. In contrast, a promenade is a broad road designed for the enjoyment of pedestrians and vehicle passengers, featuring gardens and benches.
Paseo de Montejo, Mérida’s most emblematic avenue inspired by Parisian boulevards, used to be flanked by elegant neoclassical and art deco mansions. Now, the once-majestic avenue is marred by yellow buoys that divide the street, making room for vehicles and bicycles. However, only a few cyclists brave the harsh sun, leaving the avenue chaotic and dangerous.
The Paseo is split into two parts: the original, and the Prolongación, where commercial buildings have replaced romantic mansions. Buoys line both sides of the road, turning its once-comfortable width into a mere street. Rubber speed bumps, almost a square meter in size, wreak havoc on vehicles, damaging tires and shock absorbers.
Starting from the Monument to the Fatherland, drivers face obstacles like buoys and block-fenced gardens, dangerously obstructing visibility, especially when turning at the Justo Sierra roundabout. Meanwhile, police are vigilant—ready to issue fines for those who stray into special lanes.
On Sundays, the entire avenue closes for the popular Bike Route, enjoyed by cyclists and families but leaving tourists and hotel guests struggling to find parking, forcing them to walk blocks with luggage in tow.
Source: Diario de Yucatan
