A section of Tijuana’s Vía Rápida Oriente has been temporarily closed after a sinkhole opened near the Simón Bolívar overpass, city officials said. The collapse was caused by a damaged underground pipe along the stretch that connects El Florido with the Zona Río.
Carlos Gastélum Félix, head of municipal public works, said the sinking ground compromised all three traffic lanes, prompting a full closure of the affected area to keep drivers safe. He noted that ongoing erosion beneath the lane that initially remained open made it impossible to guarantee safe passage, leading crews to shut down the entire segment and begin extensive repairs.
The closure begins near the baseball fields, where the roadway splits. A detour has been set up along the same route to keep traffic moving, though officials are urging drivers—especially heavy trucks—to use Boulevard Insurgentes as an alternate route to avoid delays.
Gastélum Félix said the repair timeline will depend on how the ground responds during stabilization, but crews are working continuously to reopen the roadway as soon as conditions allow.
The work includes removing damaged material, repairing the broken pipe, refilling and compacting the area, stabilizing the ground, and rebuilding all three lanes before repaving.
City officials thanked drivers for their patience and encouraged residents to plan ahead while repairs continue.
