In the Hermitage of Santa Isabel The renovation and rehabilitation work of the cobblestone streets is progressing, an intervention that, according to personnel from the City hallseeks to rescue the heritage essence of the site and improve its urban functionality without altering its historical character.
During a tour of the area, it was possible to observe the intense activity that still takes place at the site, workers preparing the mixture and adjusting the paving stones with precision, while others enable the drains and level the storm wells.
Among them, architects and engineers supervise the progress, reviewing the details of the paving and street alignments, in order to guarantee that the work maintains visual and structural harmony.
Rehabilitation of the Hermitage advances
According to Sergio Chan Lugo, director of Public works of the Merida City Councilthe work already registers a progress of 90%.
The official explained that the work is currently concentrated “on two corners, on 66 and 77 and on 79 and 66,” where more elaborate adjustments are being made to the leveling of the land.
“We are making a valve box to put it at the level of the pavement, so that it is not, in colloquial terms, ‘jumped’. It does not stand out from the paving stones,” he explained.
He also pointed out that, outside of these points, progress in the reinstallation of the cobblestone pieces is practically completed.
He also reported that 18 storm wells have been rehabilitated and drilled, in order to improve the drainage of rainwater.
“It is a fairly comprehensive work that respects the entire original environment to continue enjoying this beautiful area,” he highlighted.
Chan Lugo announced that the work must be completed before the end of October, so that the space is ready for the traditional Paseo de Ánimas, one of the most representative celebrations of the city during the Hanal Pixán season.
“We are closely monitoring the contractor company so that they can finish in a timely manner. It is a complex work, because there are underground cables, drinking water pipes and fiber optics that require caution,” he said.
One of the most careful aspects of the project has been the recovery of the original paving, of which 164,935 pieces were raised. “They are all being reinstalled,” he explained.
“As you know, very strict work was carried out, first they were removed, cleaned and reconditioned to place them on a new and reinforced base, which will give greater strength and durability to the street.”
The intervention, which covers streets 66, 77, 79 and 64-A, responds to a policy of recovery of traditional spaces promoted by the Mérida City Council in different areas of the Historic Center.
According to Chan Lugo, the mayor’s instruction has been to guarantee safe and sustainable roads.
“We have done 100 kilometers of repaving in various parts of the city and currently a patchwork is being carried out with hydraulic concrete on 65th Street, from 46th to 64th, which we must conclude in November,” said the interviewee.