Arequipa–La Joya highway residents demand pedestrian bridges before opening

Residents of communities along the Arequipa–La Joya highway warned that the Virgen de Chapi bridge, scheduled to open on 13 July, lacks essential safety measures. While they support the inauguration, they said pedestrian bridges, proper signage, traffic lights and lighting must be completed first. Association leader Agustín of Las Lomas stressed that hundreds of schoolchildren cross the road daily and said, “La apertura es muy importante a nivel Arequipa, sí, pero con responsabilidad.”

The groups plan to submit a memorial to the regional government demanding the pending works and indicated they will stage a blockade on the highway if the date proceeds without the safety improvements. They also noted unfinished auxiliary roads, inadequate drainage and missing traffic controls at other nearby accesses, calling for immediate action to prevent accidents.

Both local leaders clarified they do not oppose the bridge’s opening but insist the required safety infrastructure be in place before traffic increases.