A team of officials from Jalisco’s Infrastructure and Public Works Department (SIOP) arrived in Chapala early Wednesday, December 7, to evaluate progress on the reconstruction of Avenida Francisco Madero, the city’s main north-south thoroughfare.

The visit was prompted by recent public controversy over the project’s design, in particular the jardinera (planter) built at the northwest corner of the intersection with Avendia Hidalgo. It appears the SIOP authorities came for an on-site inspection in response to a detailed written complaint lodged by Ajijic attorney and community activist Julio Carmona Velázquez.

The lawyer’s six-page missive fully explains the design flaw that is already causing added traffic congestion at Chapala’s busiest intersection. A series of before and after photographs complementing the written text clearly show how buses and other large vehicles are forced to invade the oncoming lane of traffic headed east on Hidalgo in order to navigate a right-hand turn off of Madero around that corner.

Carmona closes with a petition for the immediate demolition of the planter, comprehensive socialization of the entire project in consultation with the public and contact information for SIOP personnel in charge of and overseeing the project’s execution.