In preparation for the city’s annual Independence Day celebrations, local authorities have announced a comprehensive traffic operation that will result in multiple road closures starting Sunday afternoon. Residents are urged to plan ahead for significant disruptions downtown.
The closures, which begin at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 14th, are necessary for the setup of a stage and event infrastructure for the main celebration on Monday, September 15th. The event will feature the traditional “Grito de Independencia” (Independence Cry) ceremony and a headline concert by Margarita ‘La Diosa de la Cumbia’ (The Goddess of Cumbia), according to an announcement by Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz of Tijuana.
A key closure will affect the Independencia bridge in the direction of the Municipal Palace and the Hidalgo Roundabout, which is expected to remain in effect through the end of the events on Monday night.
Some of the roads that will be partially closed are Av. Centenario and Cuauhtémoc Boulevard, as well as Teresa de Mier, Juan Ruiz de Alarcón, and Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez Streets.
To ensure public safety and manage traffic, a large contingent of Municipal Police, Transit officers, and agents from the Secretariat of Sustainable Urban Mobility (SEMOVIS) will be deployed across the downtown area and at critical intersections including Padre Kino Roundabout; Independencia Blvd. and Padre Kino Blvd. (entrance to the roundabout); the Diana Cazadora Roundabout; Paseo del Centenario, and Gral. Manuel Márquez de León Blvd. (entrance and exit).
Likewise at Vía Rápida Oriente; Salvador Novo Avenue, J. Gorostiza, Xavier Villaurrutia, Padre Kino Roundabout, Infiniti Tijuana, Gral. M. Márquez de León Blvd., Otay Roundabout; Frontera Avenue and De la Amistad Avenue, El Chaparral Bridge; Alberto Aldrete Avenue and Revolución Avenue, as well as José María Larroque.
To avoid congestion, officials strongly recommend using alternate routes such as Madero Street or Revolución Street and the Cuauhtémoc Bridge.
The festivities will begin at 6:00 PM on Monday at the Miguel Hidalgo Roundabout with local performers. The main event will be broadcast live at 9:00 PM, featuring President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s first official “Grito.” At 10:00 PM, Mayor Ismael Burgueño will lead Tijuana’s traditional ceremony, followed immediately by Margarita’s concert. Access to the concert area will be limited to Independencia Avenue.
The Tijuana City Hall stated that its priority is to ensure a safe, orderly, and enjoyable environment for all citizens to celebrate Mexico’s patriotic holidays. Roads are expected to reopen shortly after the event concludes and staging is dismantled.
