to the southeast. A toll plaza booth is located immediately east of the Highway 305D interchange. After the spur to Playa del Carmen, the road parallels Highway 180 until its merges with other roads. Travelers heading eastbound have the option to merge with non-toll Highway 180, which becomes Avenida López Portillo in Cancún, or to make a right turn and follow Quintana Roo State Route 180 toward Highway 307 with access to the Cancún International Airport. History The Autopista Mérida-Cancún was formally opened on December 23, 1991, by President Carlos Salinas de Gortari. Operation of the road was a joint venture between Fomento de Infraestructura Turística, S.A. de C.V. (Fomintur) and Consorcio del Mayab. In 2011, Fomintur was declared behind on its payments, resulting in its dissolution. Ultimately, ICA was awarded the contract to operate the road. A provision in its concession allowed it to build a spur to Playa del Carmen, and in 2014, this spur, legally considered part of Highway 180D but signaged as Highway 305D (El Tintal-Playa del Carmen), opened, shortening travel times between the state of Yucatán and Playa del Carmen. As a result of the opening of the new road, the toll plaza was relocated 21 kilometers. In 2013, 200 teachers took over one of the highway's toll plaza booths, refusing to charge passing vehicles. In February 2017, Consorcio del Mayab raised tolls on the road. Vehicles are now charged a toll of 165 pesos between Mérida and Valladolid and 285 pesos between Valladolid and Cancún. Even prior to the toll increases, the highway was the second most expensive toll road in Mexico. References Mexican Federal Highways