Motorists who frequently travel on Federal Highway 45 between Irapuato and León should prepare for traffic disruptions over the next six to eight months. According to state and federal authorities, a major rehabilitation project will begin along this busy corridor, affecting traffic flow on one of Guanajuato’s most heavily traveled highways.
Although the highway will not be completely closed, lane reductions will be implemented as construction progresses, potentially causing delays. The information was released by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT).
Why Will There Be Lane Closures on Highway 45?
According to information provided by the SICT to the newspaper AM, the project involves a complete resurfacing of the highway section connecting Irapuato and León in both directions.
The contract, valued at approximately 250 million pesos, was awarded to the construction company VISE.
Initial work will focus on technical preparations and road surface conditioning before the new asphalt pavement is applied. Once that phase is complete, lane restrictions will begin, although they will be implemented gradually as construction advances along different sections of the highway.
According to the SICT’s Guanajuato office, the rehabilitation will cover approximately 44 kilometers (27 miles) in each direction, renewing all six lanes of this important transportation corridor.
Will the Highway Be Completely Closed?
No.
Federal authorities have confirmed that traffic will continue throughout the project, with only partial lane closures as work progresses.
Drivers will still be able to use the highway but should expect:
- Longer travel times
- Reduced lane availability
- Increased congestion, particularly during peak traffic hours
The SICT explained that most construction activities will be carried out during the daytime because the asphalt mixture requires specific temperature conditions for proper installation. In addition, the rainy season makes nighttime work more difficult.
What Makes This Rehabilitation Project Different?
In addition to resurfacing one of Guanajuato’s busiest highways, the project incorporates environmentally friendly technology.
Key features include:
- Rehabilitation of approximately 44 kilometers in each direction
- Renewal of all six traffic lanes between Irapuato and León
- Installation of a new asphalt surface containing rubber from recycled tires
- Reuse of material equivalent to more than 370,000 discarded tires, helping improve pavement durability while reducing waste
What Should Drivers Keep in Mind?
Federal Highway 45 is one of Guanajuato’s most important transportation corridors, linking industrial, commercial, and freight transportation zones.
According to the SICT, approximately 40,000 vehicles travel this highway every day, meaning even partial lane closures can significantly increase travel times.
Drivers are encouraged to:
- Leave earlier than usual, especially during rush hours
- Stay informed about temporary lane closures as construction progresses
- Consider alternative routes whenever possible
- Follow temporary traffic signs and instructions from construction personnel
The SICT noted that lane restrictions will move as work advances, so traffic impacts will not remain in the same location throughout the duration of the project.
The rehabilitation of the Irapuato–León section is part of the SICT’s Federal Highway Maintenance Program for Guanajuato, which includes an investment of more than 1.2 billion pesos this year to improve several strategic transportation corridors across the state.
Source: adn40
