Mexico announces nearly 70 billion peso investment for highway conservation in 2026

Mexico's Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) announced a significant investment of 69.299 billion pesos for the conservation of federal highways in 2026. This comprehensive plan targets toll roads, free federal highways, feeder roads, and artisanal paths across the country. Additionally, 50 million pesos will be allocated to repave 18,000 kilometers of toll highways nationwide.

During a press conference, SICT head Jesús Esteva Medina detailed the scope of the conservation efforts. The secretariat has planned 3,042 tenders for road maintenance, with 1,703 already awarded, 558 in process, and 781 scheduled for bidding in June. The "Mega Bachetón" program has already addressed 37,295 potholes, covering 119,344 square meters. Furthermore, 7,203 workers have repaved 10,470 square meters of federal highways, an area equivalent to 1,457 football fields.

The investment aims to ensure rehabilitated roads are in optimal condition, facilitating connectivity for the population. The SICT highlighted the use of 20 paving trains for road interventions covering 510,000 square meters. The "Mega Bachetón 2026" initiative, with an investment of 50 million pesos, is progressing to maintain and improve the nation's road network.

Specific regional plans include the restoration of 3,170 kilometers in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora, and Sinaloa. The northeastern region will see 2,110 kilometers rehabilitated in Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí. The central-western region has 2,444 kilometers planned, while nearly 2,000 kilometers will be renovated in the central region. The southeastern region is set to improve 3,140 kilometers of roads. The SICT also plans to invest nearly 10 million pesos in 50 repaving trains and deploy 192 machines for the 18,000 kilometers of highway work. Caminos y Puentes Federales (Capufe) will repave 4,000 kilometers, service 129 toll plazas, and maintain 22 bridges. The secretariat is also testing sargassum-based fibers for use in paving and will install AI cameras for real-time monitoring of road conditions, with 6 billion pesos allocated for restoring 900 kilometers of artisanal roads.