Mexico completes US$2.3bn post-hurricane Guerrero reconstruction

With the opening of the Barra Vieja-Las Lomas bridge, Mexico has completed all of the infrastructure projects included in the New Guerrero plan launched in 2013 as part of the reconstruction efforts after hurricanes Manuel and Ingrid in the Mexican state of the same name.

The 470m-long cable-stayed bridge required a 792mn-peso (US$40.6mn) investment and will serve to connect Acapulco, one of Mexico's most popular beach resorts, with Guerrero's Costa Chica region. It will directly benefit 800,000 area residents and move over 5,000 vehicles a day, according to a transport ministry (SCT) statement.

The 45bn-peso New Guerrero plan was launched by the federal government in 2013 in the aftermath of hurricanes Manuel and Ingrid, both of which made landfall in Guerrero state in September of that year causing widespread flooding and damaging road infrastructure throughout the coastal region of the state.

The plan entailed rebuilding certain sections of the Mexico City-Acapulco toll highway, five non-toll highways, 1035 roads and 139 bridges in the state, as well as carrying out a number of flood recovery waterworks.

In addition, the SCT is currently completing the Cuernavaca Paso Exprés highway project, which authorities say will benefit tourism in Acapulco. The project is aimed at reducing travel time on the Mexico City-Cuernavaca-Acapulco highway by widening a 14km stretch of the highway from four to 10 lanes. It was originally expected to be completed in November of last year, but the date was then pushed back to March.

PICTURED: Federal and state authorities attending the opening of the Barra Vieja-Las Lomas bridge.