Federal Highway 54D is an approximately 148-kilometer long Autopista in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Colima. The purpose of the corridor is to provide a direct connection between the Guadalajara metropolitan area and the city of Colima. The Autopista has been operational since January 1989 and presently costs $409 Pesos (approximately $21 U.S. dollars) for automobiles to fully traverse.
Federal Highway 54D originates at Federal Highways 15, 54 and 80 near Acatlán de Juárez south of the Guadalajara metropolitan area. The Autopista terminates to the south in the city of Colima at Federal Highways 54 and 110. Functionally Federal Highway 54D through much of southern Jalisco has replaced Jalisco State Highway 401 as the primary through-route in the area.
Part 1; the history of Federal Highway 54D
Prior to the establishment of Federal Highway 54D in southern Jalisco there was no direct connection between Guadalajara and Colima on the Federal Highway System. Traffic was required to use either Jalisco State Highway 27 or Federal Highway 15 south of Guadalajara to reach Federal Highway 110 to continue towards Colima. Jalisco State Highway 27 reached Federal Highway 15 by way of Ciudad Guzmán and Tecalitlán. Reaching Federal Highway 110 via Federal Highway 15 required following a path along the south shore of Lake Chapala to Jiquilpan in the state of Michoacán.
The so-called Guadalajara-Colima Highway Section began development in the states of Jalisco and Colima in 1987 and was assigned the route number of Federal Highway 54D. The 148-kilometer Autopista was made functional in January 1989 and is considered to be part of the Gulf-Pacific Highway Transversal Axis.
Uniquely Federal Highway 54D in southern Jalisco exists in a corridor which largely does not have a free surface routing numbered Federal Highway 54. What had been Jalisco State Highway 27 for a time was renumbered as Jalisco State Highway 54 from Federal Highway 80 near Acatlán de Juárez south to Ciudad Guzmán. From Ciudad Guzmán southward into Colima state and Colima city a surface Federal Highway 54 was designated to run as a frontage of Federal Highway 54D. Jalisco State Highway 54 would later be renumbered as Jalisco State Highway 401.
Federal Highway 54D as presently configured can be seen on the 2006 Mapa de carreteras y caminos en el estado de Jalisco.
Presently a trip on the entire 148 kilometers of Federal Highway 54D costs $409 Pesos for automobiles.
Part 2; a drive on Federal Highway 54D
Federal Highway 54D southbound begins near Acatlán de Juárez at the split of Federal Highways 15 and 80. Traffic is notified that Jalisco State Highway 401 (labeled as Federal Highway 54 and Jalisco State Highway 54 at the junction) is the free alternative to Colima.
Federal Highway 54D southbound passes through a tollbooth which has a return ramp towards Guadalajara
Federal Highway 54D has a large median which is Interstate-like and even has Variable Message Signs.
Southbound Federal Highway 54D enters the mostly dry Laguna de San Marcos on a raised grade. There are numerous warning signs regarding frequent dust storms. An at-grade dirt turn-off can be used to reach Zacoalco de Torres via Camino Real.
As Federal Highway 54D passes south of Zacoalco de Torres signage indicates Colima to be 127 kilometers away.
Federal Highway 54D continues south onto the bed of Laguna de Sayula and intersects Jalisco State Highway 404 (signed as Jalisco State Highway 417). Jalisco State Highway 404 can be used to access Teocuitatlán de Corona.
Federal Highway 54D continues south across Laguna de Sayula and intersects Jalisco State Highway 406 (again signed as Jalisco State Highway 417). Jalisco State Highway 406 can be used to access the town of Atoyac.
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