Puerto Vallarta and surrounding rural communities are once again fully connected following the official inauguration of the new La Desembocada Bridge on Thursday, May 14. The project restores a key section of State Highway 544, the main route linking the region with Guadalajara.
The opening ceremony was led by Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro, accompanied by Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Works David Miguel Zamora Bueno and Puerto Vallarta Mayor Luis Munguía.
Located over the Mascota River on the stretch between Ixtapa and Las Palmas, the bridge had become one of the region’s most anticipated infrastructure projects after severe structural damage forced the demolition of the previous crossing following the February 22 incident.
The new structure, measuring more than 100 meters in length, was rebuilt almost entirely from the ground up. The upgraded bridge includes pedestrian walkways, street lighting, traffic signals, and modern safety improvements designed to strengthen mobility and security along this important rural corridor.
Construction began in early March and was completed in just over two months, meeting the timeline established by the Jalisco Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works. State officials noted that crews worked day and night to restore the connection as quickly as possible.
With an investment of nearly 80 million pesos, the project stands among the most significant infrastructure works completed in the region this year. The bridge is expected to directly benefit more than 6,000 families living in communities including Las Palmas, La Desembocada, El Colorado, Ecoterra, El Cantón, El Aguacate, El Zancudo, El Ranchito, Santa Cruz de Quelitán, Rancho Viejo El Veladero, and Tebelchía.
For the past several weeks, residents relied on a temporary bridge installed beside the construction site. With the official opening now complete, traffic has returned to the new permanent structure, improving travel times and transportation access for residents, businesses, and visitors traveling between Puerto Vallarta and the inland communities of Jalisco.
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