On May 10, state highway 401 was affected by a crack 1.6 kilometers long and 19 meters deep, which caused damage to the highway infrastructure, as well as in three agricultural areas where avocado and berries are produced.
Subsequently, the crack was stabilized by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works of the Government of Jalisco (SIOP), a unit that maintains a daily observation to evaluate its behavior.
After the rains last weekend caused by Tropical Storm “Dolores”, it was detected that the crack that affects the Sayula-Usmajac free highway has reopened. For this reason, a series of studies will be carried out to determine the severity of said crack and prevent further damage.
These are hydrological, photogrammetric, and topographic studies, and electrical resistivity tomography. In addition, the instrumentation of a seismic monitoring network of faults and subsidence in the area will be sought, which will be carried out by the Scientific Committee on Geological Phenomena, headed by the Master in Geography, Carlos Suárez Plascencia of the University of Guadalajara, and Semadet.
During the preparation of the studies, and in order to prevent any type of incident, State Highway 401 will remain closed in its entirety, and will be protected by elements of the Highway Police and State Police. "It will have to be under permanent surveillance. We have communication with the governments of Zacoalco, Sayula, Ciudad Guzmán, and Gómez Farías, which are the municipalities that are affected," emphasized Ibarra Pedroza.
It should be noted that this does not represent any risk to people or residential areas. In order not to hinder mobility, the Jalisco citizens are made aware that the alternative route will be the free highway to Gomez Farías-Guzmán. The Government of Jalisco invites the population to be informed through the official channels where the work in this area will be announced, because with the rainy season, geological faults run the risk of increasing in length and depth.