Mexico to Invest MX$157 Billion in Railway Projects

The Mexican government announced an investment of MX$157 billion (US$7.6 billion) in 2025 to expand the country’s railway network, including new passenger train routes and the adaptation of the Mayan Train for cargo transport. The government expects this to generate 70,000 direct jobs and 140,000 indirect jobs.

The plan will add more than 3,000km of passenger train routes to the existing network. Construction will begin in early 2025 on key sections, including the AIFA-Pachuca and Mexico City-Queretaro routes. Gustavo Ricardo Vallejo, Commander, Felipe Ángeles Engineers Group, confirmed that the military will handle these initial phases, with the AIFA-Pachuca section expected to take 18 months to complete. According to Vallejo, engineering work is 70% complete.

The strategy for the construction of the passenger train network has been organized into four phases, each addressing different regions and routes. Phase 1 will include 786km of railway and feature segments such as AIFA-Pachuca, covering 54km; Mexico-Queretaro, with a span of 242km; Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo, extending 306km; and Queretaro-Irapuato, totaling 184km. The construction for these segments is scheduled to begin in 2025.

Phase 2 will encompass 910km, connecting Queretaro and San Luis Potosi over 263km, Mazatlan to Los Mochis along 441km, and Irapuato to Guadalajara, covering 206km. Phase 3 will extend over 1,145km, focusing on routes such as Guaymas to Hermosillo (135km), Guadalajara to Tepic (204km), San Luis Potosi to Saltillo (444km), and Los Mochis to Guaymas (362km). Finally, Phase 4 will add 552km, including the Tepic-Mazatlan route (275km) and Hermosillo-Nogales (277km).

President Claudia Sheinbaum said these projects are part of a national development strategy and are closely linked to the Well-Being Poles that will be built during her administration. She highlighted the potential for these rail systems to revitalize regional economies and provide sustainable transportation options.

The government will also initiate work to convert the Mayan Train into a freight system. This transformation will include 10 cargo facilities, with construction starting at major hubs such as Palenque, Merida, Progreso, and Cancun. “This step is essential to strengthen the economic potential of the Mayan Train, which was designed from the beginning to include cargo transport,” said Sheinbaum.

Andrés Lajous, Head, Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF), emphasized that the phased construction plan aims to ensure strategic and timely implementation with tenders set to be launched by 2025 for infrastructure and train fleets.

According to the government, the initiative aims to address regional economic disparities and promote sustainable development. The first phase of passenger train operations and the cargo adaptation of the Mayan Train are scheduled to launch in 2025.