Six chambers of commerce and business associations from the Oaxaca coast rejected the toll increase on the Barranca – Larga Ventanilla highway, which connects the state capital with the beach resort destination of Puerto Escondido.
In a letter addressed to Governor Salomón Jara Cruz and the heads of the Federal Roads and Bridges Agency and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), they stated that the cost is exorbitant, that the highway’s infrastructure is deficient and dangerous, and that it suffers from a lack of active maintenance.
With the current increase, they explained, a round trip, which is approximately 210 kilometers, now costs 980 pesos. This makes this highway one of the most expensive in the country per kilometer, “penalizing family budgets and the tourism competitiveness of the Oaxaca coast, and contributing to economic inflation.”
While the increase is inconsistent with the actual state of the highway, as some sections remain unfinished and others are in deplorable condition due to landslides caused by last year’s rainy season that have not been fully addressed.
And the lack of machinery and personnel working in the affected areas is evident. “Charging a superhighway toll for a road that experiences traffic disruptions and lacks basic maintenance is disrespectful to users,” they stated.
In response, business chambers and associations requested the suspension of the toll increase and payment until the highway is 100% complete and in optimal safety condition; a review of the toll to ensure it is fair and proportional to the services offered;
They also requested a public report on the use of the collected funds, given that they are not being used to improve the road.
“We are not opposed to development, but we are opposed to the exploitation of an infrastructure that currently guarantees neither the speed nor the safety for which we are being charged,” they concluded.
The statement was issued by the Huatulco Hotel Association, the Mexican Association of Travel Agencies, the National Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Services, the Mexican Association of Independent Professionals, Huatulco Romance, and Prohotur Huatulco.
Source: eluniversal
