The Mexico City government is carrying out a massive paving initiative, allocating 4 billion pesos toward asphalt resurfacing. The Cualli Ohtli program aims to renovate 250 linear kilometers of roadways—a distance comparable to the stretch connecting the capital to Querétaro, according to xataka.com.mx.
To date, city authorities have rehabilitated 2.8 million square meters of infrastructure. This figure represents just under 80% of the project's total target, which is scheduled to complete its current phase by the end of May 2026.
Work is primarily carried out overnight. Maintenance crews begin operations at 9:30 PM to minimize the impact on traffic congestion. To date, the project has logged 10,920 night shifts, with 52 active work fronts operating every night.
A focus on deep maintenance
Unlike traditional pothole repair campaigns, this plan implements a structural renovation process. Each night, crews strip away 7.5 centimeters of old asphalt to lay down new material, allowing them to address issues from the base layer up.
The work already covers 224 kilometers of the city's busiest road networks. Key areas under renovation include Paseo de la Reforma, Calzada de Tlalpan, Eje Central, and various major thoroughfares. Following repaving, a second crew handles road marking and striping, a task that requires an additional investment of 200 million pesos.
Funding for these works is part of a 55% increase in Mexico City's public investment compared to 2024. The current budget stands at 20.48 billion pesos, supplemented by 10 billion pesos from the Infrastructure, Mobility, Water, and Security Trust.
The project also incorporates a commitment to sustainability through the installation of the city's first asphalt recycling plant. This facility will allow the material removed from old streets to be reused for new paving projects.
In addition to major avenues, the government will allocate 1 billion pesos to address secondary roads in various boroughs, neighborhoods, and districts. Following a scheduled pause for the rainy season, a new paving phase is slated to begin in October 2026.
