Chapala’s urban renewal project took a major step forward this week with the launch of reconstruction work on Paseo Ramón Corona.
The upper level of the street was closed to through traffic early Monday, March 31, as backhoes, dump trucks, and construction crews arrived to remove the adoquín paving stones and excavate underground infrastructure for replacement.
Water service across central Chapala was suspended until 3 p.m. while work was underway. The Simapa water agency has not yet indicated whether further service interruptions will be necessary as the project progresses.
Restaurants, hotels, and convenience stores along the north side of the boulevard were given advance notice of the construction. However, many business owners have voiced concerns that restricted access could lead to lost revenue—especially as Chapala prepares for the busy Easter tourism rush starting April 11.
During construction, two-way traffic has been rerouted to the lower lane of Ramón Corona. Limited perpendicular parking is available on the south side of this lane, though some spaces are occupied by vendors operating near the Malecón.
Additional parking is available at the far east end of Ramón Corona, across from the Club de Yates and the Acapulquito restaurant strip, as well as in a newly designated area on the beach next to La Palapa del Guayabo restaurant. Side streets are expected to be congested, particularly during the Easter holiday period.
The rehabilitation of Paseo Ramón Corona is divided into two phases under separate contracts awarded by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works (SIOP) to Greenova Constructores, S.A. de C.V. and Constructora Siva, S.A. de C.V.. The combined cost of the project is nearly 25 million pesos.
The new street surface will be constructed with hydraulic concrete, similar to the recent improvements on Avenida Francisco Madero.