El Insurgente Train Bridge Nears Completion

As the Mexico-Toluca Interurban Train, El Insurgente, prepares to enter a new phase, the completion of one of its most complex structures, the cable-stayed bridge, marks a critical step forward. Civil works on the 500m-long bridge are set to conclude in May, after two years of construction. 

According to Adriana Cardona, Director General of Railway Projects, Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT), the bridge was specifically designed to protect the ecological reserve surrounding the “Vasco de Quiroga” spring, a vital water source for 13 neighborhoods in western Mexico City.

Stretching half a kilometer with a central span of 200m, the bridge was engineered to avoid interference with the spring’s natural flow. Strategically located next to the Fourth Section of Chapultepec Forest and the University of Health, its placement was carefully chosen to minimize environmental impact. Constructed over two years and generating 350 direct jobs, the civil works are expected to be completed by May. At present, engineers are carrying out cable re-tensioning, a critical step to ensure the train’s safe and uninterrupted passage.

The bridge’s structure features four supports, two reaching 75m and two at 65m in height, connected by 52 high-strength steel cables, grouped into four sets of 13. Its V-shaped pylons represent one of the most efficient engineering solutions, considering the speed and curvature of the train’s route.

“This type of bridge is commonly used in road infrastructure but applying it to a railway system gives it a unique character,” says Cardona. Once the civil works are finished, installation of all subsystems will begin, including the tracks, catenary, security systems, signaling, and communications. The design also adheres to the latest seismic regulations, ensuring optimal safety and resilience in an earthquake-prone region.

El Insurgente will connect Metro Observatorio in Mexico City with Zinacantepec in the State of Mexico, covering 58km with seven stations. Currently, the operating section runs from Zinacantepec to Santa Fe, with trains running every 15 minutes. Time savings are remarkable: while the journey takes around 18 minutes by car, the train completes it in just 3 to 4 minutes.

As with any major infrastructure, ongoing maintenance will be required once the system is fully operational. However, the bridge promises to be a sustainable and efficient solution to the region’s growing mobility needs.