Interoceanic Corridor’s Construction Advances Rapidly

The Federal Government is making significant strides in one of its megaprojects considered: the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT). During a morning press conference, authorities gave a report on the advances of the project, which has already started operations.

The CIIT entails the construction of a 303km railway that will connect vital ports, highways and airports. This corridor is set to host ten industrial parks, also called Development Poles for Well-being, with access to essential amenities, including fiber optics, natural gas, drinking water and electricity. Additionally, CIIT will facilitate the transportation of passengers and cargo through various routes, bridging Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, as previously reported by MBN.

From Coatzacoalcos, CIIT will link to the Port of Dos Bocas in Tabasco and the Mayan Train in Palenque, Chiapas. Furthermore, it will connect Ixtepec, Oaxaca, with Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas.

CIIT will involve three primary lines: Line Z (Coatzacoalcos-Salina Cruz), Line FA (Coatzacoalcos-Palenque) and Line K (Ciudad Ixtepec-Ciudad Hidalgo). Line Z is approaching completion, with a progress of 90.44%. Passenger service on this line will be available in December, while the cargo service is already operational. 

Line FA stands at 34.87% completion and is on track to transport passengers from Coatzacoalcos to Roberto Ayala in December. The service to Palenque is expected to be ready by March 2024. Similarly, the cargo service is already available. In contrast, Line K stands at 3.8% completion, with its service projected to become available in the final quarter of 2024.

CIIT’s overall objective is to establish an intermodal logistics platform linked by over 1,200km of railway tracks and operated by the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Railroad. The corridor aims to bolster Mexico's economic and commercial development by forging a connection between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. This linkage will effectively bridge the Asian market with the US East Coast through a new access route.

The project was supervised by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who recently visited the CIIT to oversee the advances made to date. During his visit, he traveled from Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos.

Also, to ensure the efficient flow of inter-oceanic cargo, the port of Coatzacoalcos is to be enhanced through a multi-purpose terminal with a capacity of up to 1.4 million TEUs per year. Additionally, a new port is under construction in Salina Cruz, which will boast an access depth of 24m and a 300m wide entrance. This state-of-the-art port will accommodate deep-draft vessels, including Neopanamax, and will have road and inland railroad access tailored to serve the local and regional market.