Baja California’s state congress unanimously approved a motion calling on the federal government to install speed bumps and safety signage at a dangerous crossing on the free Tijuana-Tecate highway near the Valle de las Palmas subdivision.
State legislator Maythe Méndez introduced the proposal, which asks Mexico’s federal infrastructure ministry to conduct technical studies for road safety improvements at the subdivision entrance. The free highway, known as the carretera libre, runs parallel to the toll road (Highway 2D) and is a common route for drivers who want to avoid the toll of roughly 111 pesos (about $6 USD).
Developer Departure Left Safety Gaps
According to Méndez, the road safety problem at Valle de las Palmas grew worse after the housing developer that built the Ciudad Valle de las Palmas subdivision closed its offices in 2019. When the developer left, maintenance of access infrastructure at the highway crossing point stopped. Residents have spent years without proper signage, speed control, or safe pedestrian crossings at the turnoff.
Valle de las Palmas sits roughly 30 kilometers east of Tijuana along the free road toward Tecate. The subdivision is one of several large, affordable housing developments built in the area during Mexico’s housing boom. Many of these communities were left with incomplete infrastructure after developers pulled out.
A Known High-Speed Corridor
The free Tijuana-Tecate road is a two-lane highway with limited traffic controls outside of town centers. Drivers regularly travel at high speeds between subdivisions and rural stretches. The lack of marked crossings at residential access points creates serious hazards for both pedestrians and vehicles turning off the highway.
The toll alternative, the Autopista Tijuana-Tecate operated by IDEAL, covers 17.55 kilometers with better-maintained pavement and controlled access. But many local residents and budget-conscious drivers opt for the free route daily, increasing traffic volume on a road that was not designed for it.
What Comes Next
The congressional motion does not guarantee immediate construction. It calls on federal authorities to conduct the technical studies first, then proceed with installation of speed bumps and road signs. No timeline has been set for when those studies might begin or conclude.
Drivers using the free highway between Tijuana and Tecate should exercise caution near the Valle de las Palmas turnoff until improvements are in place. This story was first reported by Jornada BC.