Painting axolotls and feathered snakes on the pavement has cost the Mexico City government 62.1 million pesos, an expense that won’t be visible during the World Cup because many of these figures are already faded at intersections.
The Ministry of Public Works and Services, headed by Raúl Basulto, one of the closest collaborators of the Head of Government, Clara Brugada, awarded eight contracts to implement “horizontal signage and tactical urbanism” on avenues in the capital.
The contracting procedures reviewed by Latinus do not detail the description of the graphic designs, the quantity, or the names of the roads; however, “horizontal signage” and “tactical urbanism” are concepts that include interventions with paint on the pavement of intersections.
The painting of enormous images of axolotls and feathered snakes on the pavement of the city’s main intersections, such as Insurgentes Sur, Revolución, and Eje Central, began in the last week of April.
The designs include the phrase “The ball returns home,” a slogan used by the Brugada administration to promote the 2026 World Cup, whose opening match will be held at Azteca Stadium on June 11.
These designs have gradually faded in less than a month, as seen at the intersection of Patriotismo and Río Mixcoac avenues in the south of the capital.
In addition, motorcyclists and cyclists complained on social media that the paint used turned the intersections into slippery surfaces, causing skidding and falls.
The number of intersections where the axolotl and the feathered serpent were painted by the authorities has not been reported by the Mexico City government.
Latinus requested, through a freedom of information request, the total number of intersections adorned with the World Cup-themed decorative illustrations, but the Ministry of Public Works and Services evaded the request.
The Ministry only referred inquiries to its transparency website, where no information on the matter was found.
Not only are the axolotls controversial, but so is the painting of curbs on pedestrian bridges and barriers on major roads purple, because experts warn that it violates road safety guidelines.
The Public Works Department signed eight contracts with eight different companies for a total of 7.2 million pesos to supervise the painting work.
It also contracted another company for 8.9 million pesos to create “special World Cup” signage, which includes signs indicating the names of avenues and routes.
Source: latinus.us
