Mexico Pushes Major Rail Projects as AIFA Line Enters Testing

This week in infrastructure news: The Lechería–AIFA train has entered the commissioning phase, putting a 1Q26 launch and an approximately 43-minute Buenavista–airport trip within reach. In northern Mexico, ARTF advanced the Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo corridor on two fronts: issuing a new international tender for a Monterrey-area package and awarding ICA a major contract to build 30.75 km, setting a January 2026 start date. Meanwhile, El Insurgente entered final safety validation on the Santa Fe–Observatorio stretch ahead of full operations in 2026, as President Claudia Sheinbaum reported early progress on the 226-km Mexico City–Queretaro line, targeting completion in 2027.

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Lecheria–AIFA Passenger Train Targets 1Q26 Launch

Mexico’s Lechería–AIFA rail link is about 92% complete and entering commissioning after its first test trip, with President Claudia Sheinbaum targeting opening in 1Q26 (Semana Santa 2026). The 23.7-kilometer extension would connect Buenavista to AIFA in ~43 minutes with Integrated Mobility Card payment and projected demand of 82,000+ daily riders.

ARTF Tenders Monterrey Segment of Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo Rail

ARTF published the tender bases for an international bid to design and build 8.854km of the Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo passenger rail corridor (Segment 15 “A1”) in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area. The package carries a 2026 budget of MX$1.97 billion (US$108.30 million) and targets a March 9, 2026 start with a 998-day construction period.

El Insurgente Enters Final Testing Ahead of Full Launch in 2026

SICT says the Mexico–Toluca Interurban Train “El Insurgente” is running safety validation tests on the Santa Fe–Observatorio section ahead of full operations in early 2026. The 57.7km line aims to cut Toluca–Mexico City trips to about 40 minutes and integrate with major transit links at Observatorio and Vasco de Quiroga.

Construction of Mexico City–Queretaro Rail Advances

President Claudia Sheinbaum says the Mexico City–Querétaro passenger rail project is about 8% complete, with a 226km double-track line targeted for completion in 2027. Designed for 160–200 km/h service, it aims for ~2-hour trips and integration with transit in both CDMX and Querétaro.

ICA Wins ARTF Tender for Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo Rail Segment

ARTF awarded ICA Constructora a MX$12.94 billion (US$711.00 million) contract to design and build 30.75km of the Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo passenger rail project (Segment 15 “B”) in the Monterrey metro area. The contract is set to be signed Jan. 5, 2026, with works starting Jan. 16, 2026 and a 1,020-day execution period.

DHS, CBP Award US$3.3 Billion in New Smart Border Wall Contracts

DHS and CBP awarded five new “Smart Wall” contracts worth US$3.3 billion to expand barriers and detection technology along the US–Mexico border in Texas and Arizona, bringing total Smart Wall construction contracts to US$8 billion. The package adds 156.11km of primary wall, 30.58km of secondary wall, 106.22km of waterborne barriers, and nearly 240km of additional detection technology coverage.