Jalisco infrastructure concerns: Highway 80 deterioration and new school transport initiatives

Motorists traveling between Guadalajara and the southern coast of Jalisco are facing significant difficulties due to the deterioration of Federal Highway 80. The route, which connects Guadalajara to Barra de Navidad, is currently plagued by potholes and damaged asphalt. These conditions have forced drivers to perform risky maneuvers and have caused several vehicles to break down along the road, often while changing tires on two-way mountain stretches.

Responsibility for the highway lies with the federal government, specifically the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT) through the Centro SICT Jalisco. Although rehabilitation efforts involving over 38 kilometers of the road were scheduled to begin in December 2025, the current state of the pavement remains a major concern for commuters.

In Tlajomulco, local authorities are implementing a school transportation program to mitigate traffic congestion on López Mateos. Mayor Gerardo Quirino Velázquez Chávez reported that six specialized units are currently serving approximately 110 families, potentially removing 110 private vehicles from the road during peak school hours. The municipality aims to expand the fleet to 30 units this year, depending on parental demand and the program's ability to build community trust.