A new alternate route behind the Chedraui Selecto store will open in two weeks, following an agreement with Grupo Questro, which provided the land.
The bypass aims to ease congestion near the Fonatur roundabout, currently the most problematic traffic zone due to overpass construction. Traffic bottlenecks are especially severe near the G20 highway and toll booth, according to Roberto Flores, Director General of Urban Development.
Flores said the SICT has confirmed the route is now viable, as a previously exposed storm drain has been completed, and construction on an underground channel is underway.
“This bypass is essential,” Flores stressed. “We need new routes to provide alternatives between San José and Cabo San Lucas.”
Current alternate routes, serving northern neighborhoods like Monte Real, Vista Hermosa, and Zacatal, have helped reduce congestion toward Costa Azul. But with the rainy season approaching, rising streams could render those paths unusable.
To prepare, officials are closely monitoring the new route. “Coordinating this has been complex,” Flores said, adding that the project carries major implications for mobility in Los Cabos.
Construction, awarded to a private contractor, began without adhering to the agreement to keep at least one lane open, initially causing gridlock. In response, the City Council formed a traffic committee that meets every Friday at 9 a.m. to manage and approve traffic flow strategies.
Since then, enforcement has improved, and traffic has stabilized. The municipality now provides 24/7 oversight.
Still, Flores warned the situation remains “a ticking time bomb” requiring constant vigilance. Last Thursday, for instance, congestion surged after a third lane was closed during morning rush hour.
He explained that vehicle flow is heaviest from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. toward Cabo San Lucas, with bidirectional traffic from 1 to 3 p.m., and a heavy return flow to San José del Cabo from 5 to 9 p.m.
Closing a lane at any time worsens congestion, and mayor’s orders require round-the-clock supervision and strict compliance from contractors. When agreements are violated, the City Council intervenes.
Lastly, Flores noted that easing toll booth restrictions remains complicated, as toll revenues fund infrastructure projects like the Fonatur roundabout. Some stakeholders are pushing to suspend tolls during peak hours, but approval is still pending.