As per reports, a blockade organised by families of missing persons and search collectives has continued to disrupt traffic on the Mexico–Toluca Highway near the Plazas Outlet Lerma shopping centre in the State of Mexico, with significant congestion reported on Wednesday (21 October), particularly for traffic travelling towards Mexico City (CDMX).
• The protest began at approximately 1100 hours local time (1700 hours UTC) on Tuesday (20 October), and was initially conducted in both directions of the highway. At approximately 1700 hours local time (2300 hours UTC); however, the protesters reopened the carriageway towards Toluca, concentrating the blockade on the direction towards Mexico City.
• The demonstrators are reportedly demanding that the State of Mexico Attorney General, José Luis Cervantes Martínez, meet with them and provide updates on investigations into outstanding missing-person cases involving affected families and search groups.
• At approximately 1900 hours local time (0100 hours UTC on 21 October) on Tuesday (20 October), protesters established tents across the central lanes of the Mexico–Toluca Highway. To restrict vehicle movement, the demonstrators subsequently reinforced the blockade with bonfires, stones, sticks and other debris collected from the surrounding area.
• From approximately 1900 hours local time (0100 hours UTC on 21 October) on Tuesday (20 October), protesters agreed to permit vehicles to pass through one lane for five minutes every hour. However, the limited passage reportedly allowed vehicles to advance by only approximately 10 to 30 metres during each opening, leaving motorists and heavy vehicles stranded for extended periods.
• At approximately 0830 hours local time on Wednesday (21 October), a further confrontation occurred when motorists removed protest banners, cut a rope stretched across the road and dismantled an awning obstructing the central lanes. Subsequently, protesters agreed to reopen the side lane for approximately ten minutes, with access thereafter reportedly intended to be provided for ten minutes every hour.
• As of Wednesday (21 October), a separate blockade has also been reported on the Bicentennial Bypass near Xonacatlán. These disruptions have compounded congestion on the Toluca–Naucalpan Highway, where traffic volumes have increased as motorists seek alternative routes around the affected roads.
• According to the authorities, Toluca–Naucalpan free road and toll road have been recommended as alternative routes for journeys towards Mexico City, however, both may experience additional congestion.
Categories: Travel Risks - Road Blocks
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