The Puebla government has confirmed the construction of a pedestrian crossing at floor level in front of the Cultural University Complex (CCU) of BUAP, along with the installation of two elevators, in response to the demands of the university community. According to Manuel Contreras de los Santos, Secretary of Infrastructure of the State, both projects will begin this week, and it is estimated that they will take between two and three months to complete, with a budget of 24 million pesos allocated for these projects.
Regarding the floor-level pedestrian crossing, it will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Mobility and Transport, including the installation of pedestrian traffic lights. Despite the benefits it may bring for pedestrians, there are concerns about possible conflicts in vehicle circulation. Contreras de los Santos mentioned that this issue will be addressed with the Ministry of Mobility to ensure proper functioning and avoid putting pedestrians at risk.
These measures seem to contradict what is established by the General Law of Mobility and Road Safety, which emphasizes the importance of adapting roads to prioritize the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, as well as promoting public transport. Activists have expressed their discontent, arguing that the current works reflect a misplaced prioritization of private vehicles, and they consider that the installation of escalators is merely a "patch" to a project that does not adhere to sustainable mobility principles.
Recently, there were demonstrations from the university community and neighbors in the area demanding a floor-level pedestrian crossing on Vía Atlixcáyotl. After a working meeting, the Ministry of the Interior agreed to carry out both the installation of the elevators and the construction of the floor-level pedestrian crossing, addressing the demands raised by citizens.
