Construction of the Mayan Cultures Highway Reaches 14 Kilometers Between Palenque and Misol-Há Waterfalls
The construction of the Mayan Cultures Highway has reached an advance of 14 kilometers on the section connecting Palenque with the Misol-Há waterfalls, where completed bridges, sections with finished pavement, and work on vehicle crossings that are part of the road project can already be observed.
The Secretary of Infrastructure, Anakaren Gómez Zuart, reported that the project, carried out by the State Government, will significantly reduce travel times between these two important tourist and communication points in the northern region of Chiapas.
“We have been able to advance 14 kilometers from Palenque, and those 14 kilometers arrive precisely at Misol-Há. We are very pleased with all the development that is taking place today,” she stated.
The project includes environmental restoration actions, as well as the construction of livestock crossings / Photo: Infrastructure Secretariat
The official explained that currently the journey between Palenque and Misol-Há takes between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. However, once this section is completed, the estimated travel time will be approximately eight minutes.
“When we finish these 14 kilometers, we assure everyone that they will be able to travel from Palenque to the Misol-Há waterfalls in no more than eight minutes,” she said.
Gómez Zuart detailed that the new highway already has large bridges completed and several sections of pavement finished, while work continues to connect the road with the federal highway through the construction of underpasses and overpasses, as well as protective infrastructure to improve user safety.
Three companies are currently working on this phase: one is building a five-kilometer section, while the other two will each be responsible for constructing one tunnel / Photo: Infrastructure Secretariat
Regarding the overall progress of the project, she reported that the Federal Government has begun a new stage with an investment of 8 billion pesos, resources managed during the previous year that will allow the highway to be extended to the Agua Azul waterfalls.
“We managed to secure 8 billion pesos. Those 8 billion pesos began being invested last week,” she highlighted.
Currently, three companies are participating in this phase: one is responsible for constructing a five-kilometer section, while the other two will build one tunnel each. More companies are expected to join during the first days of August to continue the work.
With this new stage, the project will reach a total of 49 kilometers under construction, financed with 8 billion pesos in federal resources and approximately 3 billion pesos contributed by the State Government.
More companies are expected to join during the first days of August to continue construction work / Photo: Infrastructure Secretariat
The secretary explained that the state section also includes the construction of two tunnels, whose execution will be handled by companies contracted by the Federal Government. According to the planned schedule, these works will be completed between January and March 2028, meaning the full operation of the highway section will depend on the completion of these projects.
She also stated that the project includes measures to reduce environmental impact and guarantee connectivity for communities located in the area.
Among the planned actions are environmental restoration efforts, as well as the construction of livestock crossings, with the goal of preventing communities from becoming isolated and facilitating the movement of livestock and vehicles weighing up to three tons.
The Mayan Cultures Highway is part of the infrastructure projects promoted to improve connectivity in northern Chiapas and strengthen communication between Palenque, Misol-Há, and Agua Azul.
Source: oem
