Stretch of Tijuana's Elevated Highway Opens, Completion Still Distant

The $1 billion project aims to connect coastal neighborhoods to the airport and border crossing, but faces delays and access issues.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A portion of Tijuana's long-delayed elevated highway project was opened by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, but the full 7-mile roadway connecting the city's coastal areas to the airport and San Ysidro border crossing is still far from complete. The project has faced construction delays, engineering problems, and cost overruns, and currently only allows access at the border crossing and far western end, leaving downtown commuters without easy access.

Why it matters

The elevated highway is intended to ease severe traffic congestion in Tijuana, especially around the busy San Ysidro border crossing. However, the incomplete project and lack of access points so far means the benefits have not yet materialized for many residents and commuters.

The details

Work on the $1 billion elevated highway project began three years ago, but has been plagued by delays, engineering issues, and cost overruns. The 'viaduct' was originally supposed to be finished last year, but only a portion has now opened. When complete, the 7-mile highway is meant to connect Tijuana's coastal neighborhoods to the city's airport and provide direct access to the San Ysidro Port of Entry, reducing commute times from 34 minutes to 12 minutes. But for now, the only access points are right after the border crossing and on the far western end, leaving downtown Tijuana residents without easy on-ramps.

  • The elevated highway project began three years ago, in 2023.
  • The project was originally supposed to be completed in 2025.
  • A portion of the highway was opened by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on February 3-4, 2026.

The players

Claudia Sheinbaum

The current President of Mexico, who visited Tijuana to cut the ribbon on the newly opened portion of the elevated highway project.

Raul

A longtime Tijuana resident who expressed skepticism about the $1 billion price tag of the project.

Rodolfo

A taxi driver in Tijuana who criticized the lack of access points to the elevated highway, saying it will not help reduce traffic since everyone has to get on and exit at the same spots.

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What they’re saying

“It's good that it's open. I hope it does ease congestion in Tijuana.”

— Raul, Tijuana resident

“There's no way to get on it from downtown, only if you cross the border from the United States. This is not going to help, traffic will remain the same if everyone gets on and exits at the same spot.”

— Rodolfo, Taxi driver in Tijuana

What’s next

City officials stated that as more of the viaduct is completed, additional access points will be opened. They hope the entire 7-mile elevated highway will be finished at some point later in 2026.

The takeaway

The partial opening of Tijuana's elevated highway project is a step forward, but the lack of access points and the project's ongoing delays mean the intended benefits of reduced traffic congestion have not yet materialized. Residents remain skeptical about the $1 billion price tag until the full highway is completed and proven effective.