The Transpeninsular Highway, spanning approximately 1,711 kilometers (1,063 miles) between Los Cabos and Tijuana, is set for a major overhaul to enhance safety and functionality. This vital artery faces numerous issues that hinder smooth traffic flow, including sharp curves, steep gradients, and stretches that are both narrow and riddled with potholes.
Marco Antonio Gutiérrez, General Director of the SICT (Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation) in Baja California Sur, outlined the project's scope, which includes an annual allocation of nearly $150 million US to kick off modernization efforts starting in 2026.
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Key improvements will involve widening the road from 7 meters (23 feet) to 12 meters (40 feet). Notably, the infamous curve between La Paz and Constitución, known colloquially as “La Virgencita,” is slated for significant straightening to reduce accident risks. "We are planning to rectify this dangerous bend to make it less severe," explained Gutiérrez.
The modernization project also encompasses acquiring rights of way, particularly where the highway's path may need diverting or reconfiguring to improve safety. This process is already in progress.
To date, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) of the highway in the La Paz-Ciudad Constitución section have been upgraded to the new width standard. Future efforts in these areas will focus primarily on ongoing maintenance and preservation, while other sections will see expansions and modifications to eliminate the hazardous features that currently pose risks to travelers.
