TIJUANA.- Federal Highway Officials in charge of reconstruction of the collapsed portion of the Rosarito-Ensenada toll road are assuring the public that that portion of the highway will reopen this December, and that the entire project will conclude in April, 2015. The road has been closed completely since it collapsed in December of 2013 after a small earthquake.

The assurances came during a breakfast meeting held by the Mexico's Chamber of Construction (CMIC), where authorities and the chamber's president discussed progress made in the re-construction of the road.

During the meeting, they indicated that to date, approximately 385 million pesos of the total 800 million peso budget have been invested in the road.

Although an alternative route being constructed by the Secretary of Communications and Transportation will also open to the public, according to the Chamber, it still makes sense to maintain the 13 kilometer stretch along the Salsipuedes bay where 8 geological faults have been detected. He indicated that they are already working along the stretch that runs over 2 fault-lines, at kilometer 90 and 88-89 with the help of TGC Geotecnia, a company that has subcontracted companies to study the terrain.

The authorities also indicated that as a result of the road closure, the closed toll booth is losing approximately 260 thousand pesos daily, which adds to the pressure of opening this highway by the end of this year. The chamber has expressed uneasiness in the past with the terrain at the 93 km mark, but during a recent visit from the Federal Highway's authority where the work was discussed they are certain that the construction will address a latent problem that existed prior to the road's collapse.

In terms of the construction sector, on behalf of the State Government there have been improvements during the second half of this year, with 600 million pesos invested in public works. The chamber discussed some of the projects that members are working on,which include street pavement projects, remodeling and construction of schools, and the upcoming initiation of the access road to the Baja California Convention Center and Acapulco Boulevard.

He added that regardless, the year for this sector will not come out with positive

numbers but will keep the companies that managed to overcome the initial six months of this year running. Investment during the start of this year was practically nothing, and 40 companies were forced to shut down.

Editorial@sandiegored.com

borderzonie@gmail.com