SICT Deploys Paving Trains to Boost Road Maintenance

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT) will deploy 20 specialized paving trains to maintain over 15,000km of toll-free federal highways during the current administration. This initiative was announced by David Calderón, General Director of Road Conservation, SICT, during the IV National Forum on Transport Infrastructure organized by the College of Civil Engineers of Mexico.

Calderón added that the SICT is acquiring a total of 30 paving trains through a bidding process. Of these, 10 will be distributed to various Mexican states — including the State of Mexico, Jalisco, and Veracruz — while the remaining 20 will be retained by the federal government to service both trunk roads (which handle 80% of cargo transport) and basic highway infrastructure.

These paving trains, equipped with high-tech machinery such as milling machines, compactors, asphalt pavers (finishers), and micro asphalt spreaders, are designed to respond swiftly and effectively to routine and emergency maintenance needs. The equipment allows for the removal and reuse of road layers — including base, subbase, and surface — by mixing and stabilizing them.

The total investment for the 30 paving trains is about MX$1.4 billion (US$73.4 million). The results of the bidding process for the first 10 units were announced recently, and the remaining 20 will follow similar procurement steps. The first batch is expected to be delivered to the designated states by the first week of July.

Jesús Esteva, Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport, says that this initial distribution is aligned with commitments made to various state governments. The State of Mexico will receive two units, while Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Campeche, Chihuahua, Veracruz, Guerrero, Baja California Sur, and Colima will each receive one.

The deployment of this equipment is expected to reduce road maintenance costs by up to 30% and significantly accelerate the conservation process by leveraging modernized, efficient technology.