The Nichupté Bridge will begin operations on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 4:30 a.m., as a new connection between downtown Cancún and the hotel zone. According to Governor Mara Lezama, all access points will be open from that date, with free passage and no tolls.
The operating hours for this first phase will be from 4:30 a.m. to midnight, although emergency vehicles will be able to cross 24 hours a day. Why the specific hours? Because, as the governor explained, the remaining infrastructure to demarcate the bike lane will be installed during the early morning hours.
However, this will be temporary. Starting Monday, May 25, the bridge will extend its service until 1:00 a.m., once the complete installation of the bike lane dividers is finished.
Governor Lezama explained that the maximum speed limit will be 60 kilometers per hour, with an estimated travel time of up to nine minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
She also reported that the bridge has a reversible lane that will operate in two directions depending on the time of day. From 4:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., it will operate from downtown toward the hotel zone, with two lanes open in that direction. From 4:30 p.m. to midnight, it will reverse direction toward downtown. Between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., the transition will be carried out with the assistance of traffic personnel.
And very importantly: drivers must pay attention to the traffic lights installed on the bridge arches, which indicate lane usage. A red “X” indicates a closed lane, while a green arrow or signal indicates that it is open. “Always check at all times,” the governor recommended.
Regarding non-motorized transportation, the bike path is exclusively for bicycles and human-powered or semi-assisted vehicles that do not exceed 25 km/h. The use of bicycles in vehicle lanes and the access of scooters, roller skates, or skateboards are not permitted in this initial phase.
The bike path may be closed preventively when winds exceed 40 kilometers per hour, a measure intended to protect users of this space from adverse weather conditions.
Regarding permitted vehicles, cars and motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 600 cubic centimeters may circulate. The transit of cargo vehicles is also prohibited, as part of the initial operating restrictions.
The bridge will have a video surveillance system connected to the C5 command center, operating 24 hours a day. Additionally, a “human radar” system will be implemented for preventive purposes to encourage drivers to respect the speed limit, without issuing fines. “What we want is for you to get home safely,” explained Mara Lezama.
She also announced that one Sunday a month the bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic to dedicate it to recreational activities and family gatherings, allowing citizens to cross it on foot or by bicycle, just as they did on opening day, Saturday, May 2nd.
TAKE NOTE OF THIS
- All access points will be open starting this Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
- Crossing will be completely free, meaning there will be no toll.
- The maximum speed limit will be 60 km/h.
- The journey will take a maximum of nine minutes.
- In this first phase, the bridge will be open from 4:30 a.m. to midnight.
- Emergency vehicles will be able to cross 24 hours a day.
- The bike lane is exclusively for human-powered vehicles or semi-assisted bicycles that do not exceed 25 km/h.
- Bicycles are not allowed in the lanes for motorists.
- For safety reasons, scooters, roller skates, or skateboards are not allowed in this first phase.
- The bike lane will be closed when winds exceed 40 km/h.
- Motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 600 cc are permitted.
- Cargo vehicles are not allowed.
- The reversible lane will operate from 4:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from the city center towards the hotel zone; from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, the reversible lane will operate from the hotel zone towards the city center.
- From 4:00 to 4:30 p.m., a traffic control vehicle will be conducting the U-turn.
- The traffic lights on the bridge arches will display a graphical indication of which lane is open and closed.
- As a preventative measure, a human radar unit will be deployed to prevent speeding.
- Security cameras will be connected to the C5 command center 24 hours a day.
Source: laverdadnoticias
