Tijuana’s city government installed 85 solar-powered LED streetlights along an 850-meter stretch of Boulevard Lázaro Cárdenas at the heavily trafficked 5 y 10 intersection on April 10. The project cost 3.5 million pesos (approximately $175,000 USD) and is expected to benefit more than 80,000 residents in the surrounding area.
Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz inaugurated the new lights during a nighttime walkthrough with local residents and city officials. He was joined by Virginia Vargas González, secretary of Territorial and Urban Development, and Adriana Guadalupe Barrera Hernández, director of Municipal Public Services. Staff from the city’s lighting and sanitation departments also participated in the inspection.
Part of National Safe Path Program
The installation falls under the Sendero Seguro (Safe Path) program, a national initiative promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. The program aims to reclaim public spaces through a combination of improved lighting, cleaning, and surveillance. Its stated priority is protecting students, women, and workers who use high-traffic corridors on foot.
The 5 y 10 crossing, located where two major commercial routes converge in eastern Tijuana, is one of the city’s most congested pedestrian and vehicle hubs. Public transit drivers from the Zona Este were present at the inauguration, a detail that points to the intersection’s importance as a daily commute point for thousands of workers.
Solar Technology Cuts Energy Costs
The city chose solar-powered LED fixtures for the project, a decision officials said was intended to reduce electricity consumption and simplify maintenance along the corridor. Solar streetlights operate independently of the electrical grid, which can be an advantage in areas where utility infrastructure is strained or unreliable.
The presence of both the urban development and public services departments at the inauguration indicates the project extends beyond simple light installation. City officials have framed Sendero Seguro as a broader effort to improve the physical environment around the 5 y 10, including cleanup and ongoing maintenance.
This story was first reported by Jornada BC and confirmed by El Imparcial, Alfredo Álvarez Noticias, and Tijuana Última Hora.