Mexico-US Collaboration, Urban Innovation: The Weekly Roundup

This week, Mexico and the United States joined forces to address sewage problems in the California-Baja California (Cali-Baja) region. Meanwhile, the Government of Mexico City announced an initiative that designated the Zocalo (city center) a pedestrian-only zone.

In other news, Governor of Jalisco Enrique Alfaro supervised the Mi Tren Line 4 project and announced the arrival of railways and sleepers.

Ready? It's time for the Week in Infrastructure.

Mexico, United States to Tackle Sewage Problems in Cali-Baja

The governments of Mexico and the United States partnered to address wastewater issues in the Cali-Baja region. Among other activities, the project aims to rehabilitate the San Antonio de los Buenos Treatment Plant to enhance its capacity. The project also aims to expand the International Wastewater Treatment Plant (PITAR) on the United States side.

Mexico City’s Main Square Declared Pedestrian-Only

The Mexico City government unveiled the initiative “Camina tu Zocalo,” which turns the city center into a pedestrian-exclusive zone to prioritize citizens' access to the public square. With an allocated budget of MX$50 million (US$2.9 million), the initiative presented by Mayor Martí Batres outlines five guidelines to streamline pedestrian traffic. 

Railways, Sleeper for Mi Tren Line 4 Arrive in Jalisco: Governor

The Governor of Jalisco, Enrique Alfaro overviewed the works in the Mi Tren Line 4, which stands at 35% completion. He also announced the arrival of the railways and the sleeper and reports that the trains are expected to arrive soon.

November 2023 Saw Decline in Public Transportation Use

According to INEGI’s Statistics for Passenger Urban Transportation (ETUP), the use of public transportation declined in major Mexican cities in November 2023, excluding microtransit services. Pachuca, Hidalgo, led the decline and was followed by Mexico City; Puebla, Puebla; Chihuahua, Chihuahua; Queretaro, Queretaro; and Leon, Guanajuato.

Coahuila Sees Automotive Boost; Yura EVC, Daimay Drive Expansion

Governor of Coahuila Manolo Jiménez announced significant investments in the state's automotive sector, which aim to stimulate economic development and industrial growth. Yura EVC, a South Korean automotive electronics company, is set to invest US$46.2 million in expanding its plant in Torreon. Meanwhile, Daimay Automotive, a Chinese company mainly engaged in R&D, manufacturing, and sales of auto parts, inaugurated a plant representing a US$45 million investment and announced the construction for two more plants, involving a US$53.2 million investment.