The Baja California Sur state government and the La Paz City Council have approved the second phase of the South-East Urban Circuit, a $4.9 million infrastructure project aimed at improving mobility in one of the capital’s fastest-growing zones. Preliminary work on the first segment is already underway.
The new roadway will serve as an alternative route to Forjadores Boulevard, the heavily trafficked corridor that connects central La Paz with its expanding southeastern neighborhoods. The project includes paving with high-resistance hydraulic concrete designed for heavy vehicle traffic, along with sidewalks, curbs, protective barriers, public lighting, and traffic bollards.
Two Segments Planned for the Route
SEPUIMM, the state’s urban infrastructure agency, has begun preliminary work on the first segment. Crews are marking lane layouts and defining the boundaries of the stretch that runs from the entrance to the Valle del Mezquite neighborhood to the access road for South Peninsula Boulevard (Bulevar Península Sur).
A second section, which will connect to the Los Planes Highway east of the city, is currently in the bidding phase. Los Planes Highway is the main route linking La Paz to the agricultural communities and beaches of the Sierra de la Laguna foothills, including the popular Balandra and El Tecolote areas via alternate routes.
Funding and Context
The $4.9 million investment comes from the municipal equipment trust (fideicomiso de equipamiento municipal). La Paz’s southeast side has seen rapid residential development over the past decade, with subdivisions like Valle del Mezquite and surrounding colonias drawing both local families and newcomers priced out of the city center.
Forjadores Boulevard currently handles much of the traffic flowing between central La Paz and the southeast. The new circuit is designed to relieve that pressure by offering a parallel route. For drivers heading to or from the Malecón area, the alternative road could reduce travel times during peak hours.
The choice of hydraulic concrete over traditional asphalt is notable. Hydraulic concrete costs more upfront but lasts significantly longer, especially in hot climates where asphalt softens and degrades. La Paz regularly sees summer temperatures above 40°C (104°F), making pavement durability a recurring maintenance concern.
No completion date for either segment has been announced. The project was first reported by the Gringo Gazette.