Newly Opened Microlibramiento Greatly Affects Ajijic, Lake Chapala
The Microlibramiento in Guadalajara’s new ring road is now open in its entirely.
As yet there are no road signs, rest stops,gas stations, emergency phones but the toll road will save so much time for lakeside residents heading northwest.
The stop-start saga of Guadalajara’s outer city beltway has finally ended. Mexican Transportation and Communications (SCT) Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Esparza last week opened the final stretches of the four-lane toll road that cuts a semicircular arc to the south the of metropolitan area.
The 111-kilometer road is designed to redirect heavy traffic away fro the metrolpolitan area and Periferico (city beltway) and hepl detonate economic development in provincial areas of Jalisco.
Ruiz noted that 4 million people will benefit from the federally funded public work, which cost more than eight billion pesos ($415 million US) to construct. The autopista links the Mexico City and Tepic/Nogales toll roads, crossing the Guadalajara-Chapala, Guadalajara-Colima and Guadalajara-Ameca highways in its path. The road features seven “entronques” (intersections) along its route.
The newly opened stretches of the Microlibramiento will shorten the distances (and stress) for those driving from the Ajijic, Lake Chapala area to the Jalisco and Nayarit coastlines as well as northwestern destinations of the country such as Mazatlan, Tijuana and southern California.
Travelers from the Ajijic, Lake Chapala area can join the toll road on the Guadalajara-Chapala highway a kilometer after the turnoff to Azequita and La Barca.
The cost of using the 1110-kilometer highway has raised a few eyebrows. To traverse it’s entire length, paying tolls at three booths, will cost motorists 282 pesos. The trailer-truck drivers will pay 504 pesos. To most users this is cheap at twice the price.
I am sure the Microlibramiento will experience a few growing pains but all-in-all will save travelers valuable time on a safe road.
Buen Viaje y Vaya con Dios.