EGIS Group Eyes Mexico Highway Projects Amid Nearshoring Push

France-based engineering and construction firm EGIS Group aims to increase its participation in tenders for highway and tunnel projects in Mexico. The move comes as federal ambitions to capitalize on Mexico’s nearshoring potential make optimal infrastructure essential for economic development.

Andrés Castillo, Operations and Maintenance Manager, EGIS Group, said that while Mexico is not expected to return to the infrastructure construction boom of the 1990s, continued investment in road expansion is necessary due to the country's global relevance as a manufacturing hub. He highlighted that well-structured Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are the most effective path forward for these projects. Castillo noted that this model is already foundational to the country's network, with 70% of Mexico's toll roads currently operating under concession schemes. "Well-structured concessions not only optimize costs, but also guarantee continuous maintenance and high safety standards," he added.

Castillo added that Mexico’s role as a manufacturing center requires maintaining and improving its trade routes. “There are currently roads that will require expansions or alternative routes. I am convinced that more projects will emerge,” he said.

Castillo noted EGIS Group’s interest in participating in new tenders, which will continue to exist as the required investment surpasses the federal government’s financial capabilities. He acknowledged the government’s openness to collaborate with the private sector, demonstrated through its announcements for new tenders for construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and operations. "Our intention is to operate more highways in the country, and we will be actively participating in more concession tenders. That is our core business as operators and it is in our DNA,” he added.

Castillo highlighted the company’s experience in developing highway and tunnel projects in over 100 countries. He noted this global work has provided the company with valuable experience in diverse soil, environmental, and social conditions, which will be directly applicable to projects in Mexico.

According to EGIS Group, the strategy for priority road infrastructure requires a dual focus that balances the operational needs of the concessionaire with the experience of the end-user. For the road operator, this means optimizing revenues and costs, preventing losses, and ensuring transparency through long-term asset conservation, including the control of overloaded vehicles. For the user, the focus is on a fair and efficient toll system that eliminates queues and provides safe, well-maintained roads with services like patrols and roadside assistance.

EGIS Group considers technological innovation is key to this vision, aligning with the trend of progressive digitalization in Latin America. This includes electronic payment systems like tag-reading arches and "free-flow" lanes that remove physical barriers to optimize traffic. The vision also incorporates integrated security systems using cameras, sensors, and drones for rapid incident detection, as well as license plate readers that can be used for security purposes and to create special tariff programs for frequent travelers.

According to EGIS, the advanced management of road tunnels presents a sophisticated challenge in safety and operations. Castillo explained that while tunnels serve a key economic and social purpose by shortening travel times, they require high technical rigor to ensure user safety. This has led to the adoption of international standards for ventilation, surveillance, and fire protection, many inspired by European regulations developed after the 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel accident. 

Lucas Dubaud, Operations Manager, EGIS Group, added that digitalization through real-time monitoring and intelligent ventilation systems further enhances safety while also reducing operational costs by minimizing downtime after incidents. "We manage electric vehicle (EV) fire risk across all our infrastructure. The concern is not the likelihood of a fire, but the severity of its consequences. An EV fire can burn for one or two days and lead to shutting down a tunnel for months, so we have procedures and are adopting new technologies to be prepared for such events,” Dubaud added.