Grupo Carso Wins Contract for Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo Train

Grupo Carso announces that its subsidiary Operadora CICSA, in partnership with FCC Construcción, secured a contract to design and build segments of the Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo passenger train, part of the federal government’s Tren del Norte project.

The Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo Passenger Train is part of the federal government's plan to expand the country's passenger rail network, with the aim of improving connectivity in northern Mexico and facilitating mobility between two strategic industrial hubs, says FCC Construcción.

The contract, awarded by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT) through the Rail Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF), covers 111km of track between Saltillo and Santa Catarina. The CICSA-FCC consortium submitted the most competitive technical and economic bid among six participants.

The project is valued at MX$31.84 billion (US$1.73 billion), including VAT. Both companies will hold equal stakes, with CICSA and FCC each contributing 50%. Construction will begin on Sept. 30, 2025, with a planned execution period of 960 days.

Federal Push for Passenger Rail

The announcement follows the official groundbreaking of the Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo section on Sept. 9, 2025. The 396.34km stretch forms part of the 1,200km Tren del Norte line, which will connect Mexico City with the US border at Nuevo Laredo.

During a ceremony in Salinas Victoria, Nuevo Leon, authorities launched the first construction phase. Andrés Lajous, Director, ARTF, explains that the train will run on dedicated tracks with speeds between 160km/h and 200km/h, featuring main, secondary, and intermediate stations to serve both metropolitan and rural communities.

Officials estimate the line will carry 7 million passengers annually, linking Saltillo with Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo to strengthen economic and tourism ties across Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas.

Technical Scope and Benefits

The Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo route will be divided into four subsections. The first, awarded in August to ICA and valued at MX$14.68 billion (US$780 million), spans 100km between Union San Javier and Arroyo El Sauz. Construction of that section began on Aug. 26, 2025.

For the CICSA-FCC contract, works will include viaducts, 15 road crossings, 30 railway bridges, and 146 drainage works, as well as the Villa Aldama station. Authorities project the creation of nearly 4,744 direct jobs and 14,676 indirect jobs.

The project uses existing freight rights-of-way where possible, with passenger lines built alongside freight tracks. Passing sidings every 25km will allow efficient train operations. Structures are being designed for potential future double-tracking.

Broader Investment

According to Proyectos Mexico, the entire Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo train will require an estimated US$7.46 billion investment. Planned stations include Derramadero, Saltillo, Ramos Arizpe, Garcia, Santa Catarina, Monterrey, Bustamante, Anahuac, and Nuevo Laredo.