Mexico Invests US$7.72 Billion in Rail Expansion, Freight Growth

The Government of Mexico, through the Regulatory Agency for Railway Transport (ARTF) of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT), has announced an investment of MX$157 billion (US$7.72 billion) in railway infrastructure this year. This funding will support the construction of 774km of passenger train tracks, 70km of freight rail for the Mayan Train, and 170km of freight rail along the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT).

Major Railway Expansion Projects

During the morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized advances in passenger and freight rail construction. Andrés Lajous, Director General, ARTF, outlined the long-term goal of developing over 3,000km of passenger rail during the administration. The first phase focuses on four key segments:

• Mexico City-Pachuca: With environmental viability approved and 16 community assemblies conducted, this line is expected to transport 80,000 passengers daily.

• Mexico City-Queretaro: Ongoing demand studies, environmental impact assessments, and topographical analyses are in progress. Military engineers will begin construction in April, with stations planned in Huehuetoca, Tula de Allende, San Juan del Rio, and Queretaro.

• Queretaro-Irapuato: Demand, environmental, and technical studies are underway, with bidding set for May and construction starting in July. Stations will include Queretaro, Celaya, Villagran/Cortazar, Salamanca, and Irapuato.

• Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo: Pre-investment studies are ongoing, with construction planned for July. Stations will be located in Derramadero, Saltillo, Ramos Arizpe, Santa Catarina, Monterrey, Escobedo, and Nuevo Laredo.

Coordination and Infrastructure Development

The railway expansion is a collaborative effort involving multiple federal agencies, including SICT, the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). State and municipal governments are also playing a key role in supporting the projects.

Gustavo Vallejo, Commander, "Felipe Ángeles" Engineering Group, reported that the Mexico City-Pachuca segment is currently under construction across five different fronts. Works are focusing on track engineering, electrification, and execution studies. Additionally, the Mexico City-Queretaro segment will begin construction in mid-April with a planned 226km rail network.

Freight Rail Expansion: Mayan Train and Interoceanic Corridor

For the Mayan Train, the first phase of freight rail development includes the construction of 10 cargo complexes, starting with four multimodal hubs in Palenque, Poxila, Progreso, and Cancun. About 70km of new rail will be built in the Merida metropolitan area to connect the train to Puerto Progreso. Construction is set to begin in late April and is expected to last 18 months.

The Mayan Train will also be linked to the Interoceanic Corridor, with an additional 370m of track in Palenque, allowing cargo from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the national railway network to integrate with the Mayan Train. The project will establish over 2,600km of railway in southeastern Mexico, as MBN previously reported.

Juan Carlos Vera, Director General, CIIT, announced that the Z Line is fully operational, with three transshipment yards and seven sidings, while the FA Line is undergoing rehabilitation. The FA Line's new 92km branch will connect the Dos Bocas refinery to the national rail system, with 55% of land rights already secured. Completion is expected within 18 months.

The K Line, the largest project with 447km of track, is set to finish by mid-2026. However, the first section between Ciudad Ixtepec and Tonala, currently 70% complete, will begin operations in July 2024. This project includes a new viaduct in Huixtla, generating 1,500 direct jobs and a linear park with recreational spaces.

Strategic Economic and Environmental Considerations

CIIT will house 14 Development Poles focused on the automotive, energy, pharmaceutical, and agribusiness sectors. The Texistepec Development Pole is 10% complete, while the Tapachula I and II poles will soon enter the bidding phase. Additional poles in Ixtaltepec, Teapa (Tabasco), and Arriaga (Chiapas) have been designated land for development.

To ensure environmental compliance, the Directorate General of Railway and Multimodal Development launched a national public tender on Jan. 6 for environmental studies on the Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo and Queretaro-Irapuato railway segments. These studies will evaluate land use, environmental impact, mitigation strategies, and archaeological considerations to align with sustainability standards, as previously reported by MBN.