Roads in ruins, another failed category in AMLO's six-year term

During the six-year term of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico's road infrastructure deteriorated significantly. The number of potholes and road damages increased alarmingly.

According to Roberto Albores, president of the Infrastructure Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, the proportion of roads in good condition dropped drastically. It went from 47% to 26% during this period, according to a report presented on February 10, 2025.

Potholes are not a new problem in Mexico. However, during AMLO's term, they became a constant in many cities and roads.

The risk of potholes and their impact on mobility

These holes in the streets and roads pose a danger to drivers and pedestrians. They also reflect the lack of adequate maintenance and the poor quality of infrastructure works.

Causes of road deterioration

Potholes are depressions in the pavement caused by the degradation of asphalt. The problem starts with small cracks. With traffic and weather conditions, these enlarge to form holes.

Heavy vehicle traffic, temperature changes, and rain accelerate the wear and tear of the streets.

Main factors of deterioration

• Lack of preventive maintenance: Many streets don't receive timely repairs, which worsens the problem, especially during the rainy season.
• Use of poor-quality materials: In some cases, repairs are made with low-quality products. This causes potholes to reappear quickly.
• Overloading of roads: The increase in the number of cars and trucks wears out streets that were not designed to withstand so much traffic.

Citizen perception

The National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) of July 2024 revealed that potholes are the main problem in Mexican cities. They even surpass insecurity on the list of concerns.

This affects both drivers and pedestrians. The former face accidents and damage to their vehicles. The latter risk tripping or getting injured while walking on poorly maintained streets.

Government initiatives

To address this crisis, the government of Claudia Sheinbaum launched the "Bachetón" program in October 2024. The plan includes an investment of 4,000 million pesos to repair and maintain 44,574 kilometers of federal roads.

The work includes pothole repair, leveling, and drainage cleaning. Priority will be given to areas affected by projects like the Maya Train.