LIMA 2019 SETS UP MEETING WITH LIMA AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT MAYORS TO STRENGTHEN COMMITMENT TO THE GAMES

Carlos Neuhaus, president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee (COPAL), met the Lima mayor Jorge Muñoz and national and district authorities to ask for support for the traffic diversion plan due to the works in Av. Pachacútec and to identify challenges —regarding management and operational issues— during the preparation and development of the most important multi-sports event of the continent.

Since he was elected mayor, Muñoz has helped with the Project in a consistent and coordinated manner. Among the participants were the Deputy Minister of Housing Jorge Ernesto Arévalo Sánchez, the San Juan de Miraflores mayor María Nina Garnica and the EMAPE General Manager Alejandro Moreno.

Carlos Neuhaus said the purpose of this meeting was to seek solutions for previously-identified issues, and to anticipate and avoid possible mishaps on the road to Lima 2019.

“This is a very positive meeting. We’ve had many meetings. We’re going into detail and specifics and analyzing many of the problems to explore possible solutions. It’s also about management and respect for traffic rules. If rules were followed, e.g. the lights, they will save us trouble. These are little details that may help to improve traffic flow.”

Call to action for district mayors

Meanwhile, Lima mayor Jorge Muñoz Wells called district mayors to join efforts to hold the “best Pan American Games”.

“We need to work on that and it is not only to have good venues but also good roads and sidewalks. We must discuss cultural issues and everything related to the Pan American Games,” the Lima mayor told Andina News Agency.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and make decisions on the works needed to improve accessibility and transport, so that athletes and visitors arriving in Lima can move around more easily during the Lima 2019 Games, Muñoz added.

One of the main challenges of the municipality is Av. Pachacútec, that includes the districts of San Juan de Miraflores, Villa María del Triunfo and Villa El Salvador. Some works that are covered by the Ministry of Housing require additional support by district mayors, he explained.

Other issue discussed at the meeting was the benefit of service companies not performing works days before the Games, such as pipe installation, because it may affect transportation or communications. “We’ve discussed that to have the best Games,” Muñoz Wells stressed.

Venue surroundings

The Deputy Minister of Housing Jorge Arévalo informed that his area will implement three works in the surroundings of Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, the Pan American Village and Multisport Venue in Villa El Salvador and VIDENA in San Luis district.

“Access, sidewalks and signage will be improved to facilitate the visitors transportation,” he said.

In that sense, he asked the abovementioned district mayors to work together because works needs to be performed for extended hours to be completed before the Games. “The technical files will be ready. What we need now is to adjust work schedules and reduce the completion period to finish them before the Games,” he finally said.

Commitment to the Games

Meanwhile, San Juan de Miraflores mayor consolidated her commitment to Lima 2019 and invited other mayors to join for the success of this sporting event. Additionally, he claimed that sanitation, cleanliness and landscaping issues of the district will be solved before the Games.

“Finally, the benefit is also for all neighbors. The district of San Juan de Miraflores has been waiting many years for this kind of works and it will receive the great legacy of the Games.”