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Last updateFri, 16 Dec 2016 2pm

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Chapala's Jesus Pescador bridge on hold

The National Water Commission (Conagua) has slapped a suspension order on the Chapala government’s construction of a footbridge to connect the eastern leg of the Malecón with the Jesus Pescador artificial island.

According to Chapala Public Works Director Rodrigo Paredes, the notice was delivered September 30, following an inspection revealing that the project did not conform with building plans submitted to Conagua.

Paredes acknowledged that the design was modified due to budget restrictions. The estimated cost for the original plan was 14 million pesos, but the amount eventually granted from the federal spending budget totaled only five million. With revisions made to reduce expenses and an investment of 3.5 million from municipal coffers, work began in early August.

The principal change that caught the attention of the inspectors was the substitution of five rock and mortar pillars for the steel pilots planted into the lake bed that were shown in the original plan.  According to federal law, the construction of permanent structures is prohibited in designated zones within or bordering bodies of waters.

The blueprints for a 135-meter-long curved footbridge and a circular platform with a dancing waters fountain have not  changed, but groundwork carried out to accommodate them has caused radical alterations of the beach and bay that may also be under question.

Paredes said 40 percent of the project’s budget has already been spent and admitted that the city only had a verbal agreement with Conagua, without written authorization.
The previous administration in Chapala had to scotch plans to remodel the commercial area at the Malecón after Conagua ruled that it fell within the boundaries of the federal zone.

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