Mexico, Nuevo Leon Advance Right-of-Way for Tren del Norte

The Mexican federal government, the government of Nuevo Leon, and 12 municipalities in the state have signed a coordination agreement to advance the right-of-way liberation for the Tren del Norte project, a key step ensuring the continuity of this major railway development.

The Tren del Norte will span 1,200km, with the first segment covering 396.34km between Saltillo and Nuevo Laredo. This initial section will traverse Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas, benefitting an estimated 7 million passengers annually.

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), 71% of the right-of-way has already been released, and all sections of the railway corridor have been tendered. The signing marks a crucial milestone in the legal and administrative process required to continue construction across Nuevo Leon.

The agreement was signed by Jorge Villafranca, Director General, SICT Center in Nuevo Leon, and Governor of Nuevo Leon, Samuel García.

Designed to reach maximum speeds between 160km/h and 200km/h, the passenger train will operate on an exclusive track and feature a network of main and secondary stations, as well as intermediate and low-demand stops to connect smaller communities.

The first segment will include one viaduct, 15 vehicular crossings, one overpass, 30 railway bridges, and 146 drainage works, generating about 19,420 jobs during construction. The project is part of a broader national strategy to boost industrial development, freight mobility, and passenger transport, while strengthening economic growth along Mexico’s northern border.