The Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana (CESPT), the state public utilities commission, announced a new Pothole Reinforcement Program that aims to repave at least 80,000 square meters of road surface across Tijuana and Playas de Rosarito before the end of 2026. CESPT Director General Mónica Vega Aguirre presented the program on July 5, calling it a direct response to residents’ demands for faster road restoration after water and sewer construction projects.
The program specifically targets pavement damage caused by CESPT’s own infrastructure work. When the utility digs up streets to repair or install water and sewer lines, it leaves behind torn-up road surfaces that can take months to fix. Vega Aguirre said the new effort will complement separate road repair programs run by the state government and the municipal governments of Tijuana and Playas de Rosarito.
New Equipment to Speed Up Repairs
CESPT acquired new paving machinery that will allow crews to complete roughly 500 square meters of pothole repairs per week, or about 2,000 square meters per month. That pace would add an estimated 12,000 square meters of repaving over the remainder of 2026, bringing the annual total to the 80,000 square meter target.
The upgraded goal exceeds an earlier projection of 60,000 square meters, which CESPT had budgeted at 100 million pesos (roughly $5.3 million USD). As of April, the utility reported a backlog of approximately 10,000 unfilled potholes across both cities.
Why It Matters for Drivers
Pothole-riddled roads are a constant headache for anyone driving in Tijuana or Rosarito. Damaged roads lead to costly alignment, tire, and suspension repairs. The problem is especially acute in neighborhoods where CESPT has been expanding its water and wastewater systems as part of a broader infrastructure push. Earlier this year, the utility announced a total budget of 1.825 billion pesos for water infrastructure improvements in Tijuana and Rosarito in 2026, with 69% going to sewer systems, 21% to water treatment, and 9% to drinking water supply.
The repaving program is part of a coordinated effort between CESPT, the Baja California state government, and local municipalities. Residents have long complained that CESPT completes underground pipe work but leaves streets in disrepair for extended periods, creating hazards for drivers and pedestrians alike.
First reported by Semanario ZETA and La Jornada Baja California.