Fox helps launch 54km XXI century hwy.

Mexico's President Vicente Fox and Puebla state governor Melquiades Morales Flores opened the 54km "XXI century" highway, the government announced this week. The state invested more than 220mn pesos (US$19.6mn) in the 48km of highway corresponding to Puebla, while the remaining 6km run through Morelos. Works will benefit more than 130,000 residents in Puebla and Morelos states, facilitating business exchange in the region, the government statement said. The road links Puebla and Morelos states, connecting to the Sol and the Puebla-Orizaba highways, providing easier transport between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.