PROGRESS.— Minutes after 10 p.m., the citizen blockade on 25th and 62nd streets in Progreso It continued, and the protesters’ slogan was that they would not withdraw until the new elevated viaduct was opened or until someone was going to stand up to them.
At least 10 trailers They remained parked on 25th Street between 60 and 62, unable to use alternative routes. In fact, at the entrance to the port at the height of the El Corchito reserveon 46th Street, the Municipal Police placed preventive cones to prevent these vehicles from entering the city. Only other vehicles that had nothing to do with the cargo going to the high port were allowed to pass to prevent them from getting stuck in the protest.
In short, today was a day without freight vehicle traffic to the high port, because the protest by the residents of Progreso began at 8 in the morning.
An attempt was made to quantify how much cargo was stranded due to the road blockade, but no authority responded.
On the other hand, for the descent of the viaduct There was no problem, the vehicles circulated on 86 without problems. As for the tourism and personnel transportationamong others, there were no effects, since the blockade is located blocks near the access to the high port, not at the entrance to the port area.
Indefinite blockage
From early on, the complainants blocked the section of the road at its intersection with 62, which, they anticipated, will be permanent as long as the viaduct is not opened.
Shortly after noon, the operators of the heavy trucks stranded on 25th Street reversed and headed to 46th Street to leave the portso none entered the tax dock.
The progressives affirmed that they are willing to spend the December holidays there if the authorities do not respond to their demands.
The protesters stressed that their movement is totally apolitical. They explained that it is rather the feeling of citizens, of people who are already tired of the situation they have been going through for several months.
25th Street is an important thoroughfare since the construction of the viaduct, as it allows trailers to access 82nd Street that leads to the fiscal precinct of the Progreso high port.
“We are mostly older adults who want to live calmly and in peace, but we are forced to do this, to go out on the streets to demonstrate because no one shows their face,” said Mr. Jesús Martínez, a resident of the area.
Disappointed
He added that they felt disappointed when, in a meeting with authorities, they were told that last Monday, November 10, the passage would be opened to heavy vehicles on the aforementioned viaduct.
“There were even tests done, we hoped and trusted that it would open, but nothing and a week has passed and we are still in the same situation.”
The weekend before the supposed opening of the Progreso elevated viaduct, the version circulated that the inauguration would be delayed due to the governor’s agenda. Joaquin Diaz Menawho in his “morning” on Thursday, November 13, said it was false information. The president stated that “The viaduct has not been opened due to a dispute between the construction company and Asipona de Progreso regarding the agreements on the prices to be charged so that the tests can begin and subsequently the opening.“.
Huacho Díaz added that “There is dialogue between Asipona and the company, in the next few days we hope they will reach an agreement and then the viaduct will open.”
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This would be the fourth time that a demonstration has been held at this specific point, since before they have been held at the Progreso Sports Unit (formerly Víctor Cervera), but the request is the same, the opening of the bridge.
On this occasion, the protesters indicated that the protest will be indefinite, they will not lift the blockade of 25th and 62nd streets as long as the viaduct is not opened, or an authority comes to them, whether from the Administration of the National Port System (Asipona), the government of Yucatán itself or whoever, and commits to a date for the opening of the Progreso elevated viaduct.
Meanwhile, the neighbors, in addition to chairs, tables and tents, also brought a Christmas tree to the streets, as a sign that, if necessary, they will even spend the holidays protesting and demanding the opening of the viaduct.
Asipona has reported that during the testing phase, evaluations were made of the operation, vehicle control and signaling systems with the purpose of guaranteeing safe, orderly and efficient operation prior to its official opening.— Abraham Ismael Raz Herrera
Distributor vial
The construction of the elevated viaduct was a source of controversy from the beginning.
Aim
The project was designed to divert heavy traffic from Progreso’s internal streets, especially streets 82, 84 and 86, which were not built to support the daily passage of up to 12,000 vehicles and 1,400 containers.
Extension
The viaduct has a length of approximately 2.2 kilometers and connects the Mérida-Progreso highway with the port’s Remote Terminal.
Construction
The construction was calculated over a period of 24 months, with execution beginning in June 2023. The original concession contract was for 30 years, but was extended to 40 years for the company Operaciones Autovía Libramiento Progreso, SA de CV
Protections
The project faced at least 62 injunctions filed against the work at its beginning.