Mayor’s Office of Medellín Suspends Pico y Placa
The Mayor’s Office of Medellín has announced the temporary suspension of the Pico y Placa traffic regulation, effective from December 23, 2025, to January 16, 2026. This decision stems from a technical analysis indicating a significant decrease in vehicle flow during the year-end celebrations.
Reasons for the Suspension
According to the technical report, vehicle flow is expected to decrease by up to 21% during this festive period. This trend has been observed across key corridors like the Sur highway, Carrera 80, El Poblado Avenue, Guayabal Avenue, Las Palmas Avenue, and Oriental Avenue. This decrease in traffic allows the city to relax restrictions without compromising overall mobility.
Resuming Regular Regulations
Starting January 19, 2026, the Pico y Placa measure will resume as usual. Drivers violating this regulation will incur fines immediately, as no transition period will be provided. The license plate restrictions will follow the same schedule as those in the second half of 2025:
- Mondays: Plates ending in 6 and 9
- Tuesdays: Plates ending in 5 and 7
- Wednesdays: Plates ending in 1 and 8
- Thursdays: Plates ending in 0 and 2
- Fridays: Plates ending in 3 and 4
For motorcycles, the restrictions will apply based on the first digit of the license plate.
Exemptions and Local Variations
While some national and regional roads are exempt from these restrictions, such as Regional Avenue, Las Palmas, and the route to the West, the rules will firmly apply within Medellín neighborhoods. Local authorities have also confirmed that sections of Relevant Avenue and the South Highway in neighboring municipalities will adhere to these regulations without exceptions.
Advantages of Lifting Restrictions
The temporary suspension of the Pico y Placa will provide greater flexibility for travel during the holiday season, facilitating family gatherings and boosting commercial and tourism activity in the bustling period that typically sees a high influx of people. Mayor Federico Gutiérrez stated, “Due to the Christmas and holiday season, we lift the peak and plate measure from Tuesday, December 23, 2025, to Friday, January 16, 2026. Both dates are included.”
Public Communication and Future Plans
The decision was made during a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Area held on December 15. Mayor Gutiérrez has indicated that citizens will be informed about any changes to the license plate number rotation planned for February 2026, allowing them to adjust their travel plans accordingly.
Conclusion
The suspension of the Pico y Placa traffic regulation in Medellín seeks to ease mobility during the festive season. Drivers should take note of the scheduled return of this traffic control measure and prepare for the resumption of regular traffic regulations, ensuring compliance to avoid penalties.