The National Infrastructure Fund (Fonadin) allocated 104 billion 478 million pesos (mdp) for various works in Mexico, mainly in the sectors of communications, transport, urban development, port and urban solid waste.

According to the Second Government Report of President Claudia Sheinbaum, these support measures triggered an investment of approximately 207,352 million pesos, which improved the mobility of people and goods at the national and cross-border levels, increasing the country’s competitiveness through the consolidation of an intermodal network.

Of the total investment, resources were allocated to complete the construction of the railway infrastructure of the AIFA-Pachuca trunk line , as well as the contribution to finance the rehabilitation, improvement, major maintenance of facilities and remodeling of stations of Line 2 of the Collective Transportation System (STC) Metro.

In addition, the contribution covers the complementary works of the “Expansion of Lines 4 and 6 of the Metrorrey System” Project in Nuevo León. It also partially finances Phase 3 of the “Interconnected Electromobility System SITEUR of Line 5 in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area” Project.

Support was also provided to partially finance the construction of the “Expansion of Line 12 Mixcoac-Observatorio” project; resources were allocated for the comprehensive construction, pre-operational testing, commissioning and supervision of the work of the “Line 4 Tlalpan-Coyoacán of the Cablebús Public Transportation System” project; and to partially finance Stage 1 of the “Integrated Transportation System in the Metropolitan Area of ​​Morelia” Project.

Construction of passenger and freight trains is progressing

The federal government also reported that it is making progress in the construction of passenger trains and freight infrastructure for the Maya Train, which is 60 percent complete .

For freight transport on the Maya Train, the construction of four freight rail complexes is planned: Poxilá and Progreso, in Yucatán; Cancún, in Quintana Roo; and Palenque, in Chiapas. Together, these projects include 101 kilometers (km) of internal track in rail yards for freight train operations.

As well as the construction of 48 km of railway line that connects the Maya Train network in Poxilá with the Port of Progreso, with the purpose of boosting the movement of goods and fuel from said port to the entire Yucatan Peninsula and the rest of the country.

In addition, the construction and rehabilitation of 18 kilometers of railway line that crosses the industrial zone of Mérida and connects in Poxilá with the Maya Train Railway Network, strengthening regional logistics connectivity.

Construction also  continued on the Roberto Ayala-Dos Bocas branch line , a strategic project designed to integrate the port and the Olmeca Refinery into the national rail system. This project is currently 42 percent complete.

Similarly, the construction and rehabilitation of Line K of the Interoceanic Train was consolidated , with a progress of 90%; this strategic work strengthened the rail connectivity of the south-southeast and contributed to regional development.

Through this document, the Mexican government recalled that it began the construction of 787 km of railway lines for passenger trains , where the AIFA-Pachuca line is 37% complete, Mexico-Queretaro 19%, Queretaro-Irapuato 12% and Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo 3%.

He emphasized that the technical, environmental, urban and social studies required for the construction of 892 km of the Irapuato-Guadalajara and Querétaro-Saltillo sections were prepared.

Conceptual and architectural projects were also carried out for the stations and public space for the Mexico-Queretaro (five stations), Queretaro-Irapuato (four stations) and Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo (11 stations) sections.

He indicated that conceptual and architectural restoration projects were developed for old stations and buildings on the following sections: Mexico-Pachuca (two historical monuments), Querétaro-Irapuato (one historical monument) and Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo (two historical monuments).

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El cargo Fonadin promotes infrastructure to strengthen logistical connectivity in Mexico apareció primero en T21.

During the construction of the Mexico-Querétaro and AIFA-Pachuca trains alone, 14,500 interferences have been recorded , including limited rights of way and encroachment by populations, which is why agreements and a new regulatory framework for carrying out these projects are being hampered.

General Gustavo Ricardo Vallejo Suárez, commander of the Felipe Ángeles Engineering Group , explained that other interferences include level crossings, pedestrian crossings, medium and high voltage transmission lines, gas lines, pipelines, cross drainage works, and water .

“We’re working in very complicated environments on rights-of-way that are already limited and also encroached upon. These are small rights-of-way, where residential gates have already encroached upon the right. What do we have to do? We can’t build the type of embankment structure we’re familiar with with the natural boundary. We have to build channels and formwork, and we have to go uphill with concrete walls to allow entry to the premises, and that poses additional challenges,” he emphasized.

During his participation in the 22nd edition of ExpoRail , organized by the Mexican Association of Railways (AMF) , he indicated that in light of this scenario, together with the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) , he is working on new agreements and a new regulatory framework with safety factors and high technology, in order to achieve more effective coexistence for passenger and freight trains, as well as for those who live near the tracks.

Similarly, he mentioned that another challenge is environmental , since they will not fragment ecosystems through coexistence, mitigation, compensation, and other work.

“One thing we learned with the Mayan Train is to build without destroying. Wherever we go, we find remains, and what we must do is prospect, inspect, cover, and review them, and if they’re important, even change the route,” he explained.

Vallejo said they expect to encounter other challenges during the construction of these projects , since the road is saturated with residential and industrial areas, which have laredos or railroad spurs.

“What we’re doing is moving the passenger train to one side and then returning it across viaducts, and all of this is costing resources, but it’s to respect the operational efficiency of freight operators,” he emphasized.

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El cargo More than 14,000 disturbances detected during construction of two passenger trains apareció primero en T21.

According to the tender decision, the company submitted a bid of 5.846 billion 410 thousand 431.88 pesos, against the subsidiary of the Spanish company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) México, which proposed 9.891 billion 248 thousand 072.39 pesos.

“The evaluations determined that CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, in a joint venture with Mexico Railway Transportation Equipment, obtained the highest score as a result of the analysis and evaluation of the technical and economic proposal, in addition to offering the lowest and most favorable prices for the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) ,” the agency stated.

For the equipment of maintenance workshops, which includes the design and preparation of the executive project, supply and installation of the proposed equipment for workshops, construction monitoring, construction and commissioning of the proposed equipment, training and guarantees, the budget is estimated at 559 million 916 thousand 825 pesos .

For the cost of comprehensive maintenance of the fleet for a period of five years, which includes service, necessary consumables, qualified personnel, technical documentation, tools, equipment and everything necessary, 560 million 673 thousand 293 pesos are projected .

It’s worth remembering that the ARTF specified that the construction of the 15 trains must have at least 50% national content in their manufacturing , which will be determined by taking into account labor, inputs for goods, and other aspects.

These units  will serve a demand of 100,000 passengers daily , on a one-hour-and-15-minute journey from Mexico City to Pachuca.

They will also run at a maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour, will be 100 meters long, allowing for the coupling of two units, with capacity for more than 700 passengers and at least 315 ergonomic seats. They will also feature universal accessibility: level access and priority seating, ensuring safety and comfort.

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El cargo This company won the bid to build 15 trains on the AIFA-Pachuca route. apareció primero en T21.

CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive and CAF México submitted proposals for the construction of 15 passenger trains for the AIFA–Pachuca route, while the French company Alstom declined to participate.

According to documents submitted by the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) , the winner of this tender will be announced on September 10 .

The agency specified that the subsidiary of the Spanish company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) submitted an offer of 5 billion 846 million 410 thousand 431.88 pesos, against the first Chinese company that proposed 9 billion 891 million 248 thousand 072.39 pesos.

The ARTF stated that Alstom submitted a letter of decline on Monday , following an analysis of the call for tenders.

“After a detailed analysis of the call for proposals, we have concluded that the circumstances do not allow us to submit a proposal that meets the established conditions,” said María Teresa Ramos Gómez, legal representative of Alstom Ferroviaria Mexicana.

It’s worth noting that, along with Bombardier Transportation México, Gami Ingeniería e Instalaciones , and Construcción Urales, Alstom won the tender for the acquisition of 42 Maya Train trains. It has also participated in other projects.

El cargo CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive and CAF Mexico to supply trains for AIFA-Pachuca route apareció primero en T21.

“The railway will facilitate the more efficient transport of people and goods. This could reduce congestion on other forms of transport such as roads and offer a faster and safer option. It is also less likely to be involved in serious accidents, which reduces risks to passengers and cargo. The project will also generate jobs during its construction, operation, and related services,” stated the project’s Cost-Benefit Analysis.

The document presented by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP)indicates that these funds would be used for station and terminal infrastructure, roads, civil works, the electrification system, security and telecommunications, rolling stock, execution studies, and right-of-way, among other things.

As part of the proposal to carry out the project in partnership, it is proposed that the first two years of operating costs be covered by the construction manager.

The project will be 107.5 kilometers (km) long , and the train is expected to have five stops: two terminals, located at the ends of the route in Querétaro and Irapuato, and three intermediate stations in the municipalities of Celaya, Villagrán, and Salamanca. “It is worth mentioning that the route is expected to extend to the cities of Silao and León in Guanajuato,” according to the document.

It should be noted that the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) is  responsible for analyzing route alternatives and estimating investment, operation, and maintenance costs for the project.

The document specifies that the route of the railway begins at the end of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) of Mexico’s marshalling yard in Santiago de Querétaro , crosses the city to the west and then crosses agricultural fields, bordering the community of Coachiti, towards the outskirts of Apaseo el Grande and leading to the city of Celaya in Guanajuato.

In a second segment, the axis of the road crosses through properties dedicated to irrigated agriculture , bordering the community of Villagrán, crossing the municipality of Salamanca and concluding its journey towards the suburbs of the city of Irapuato, also located in the state of Guanajuato.

Its route includes a non-electrified double track and consists of seven segments, requiring the construction of nine viaducts. The average speed along the route is expected to be 160 to 200 km/h.

The rolling stock to be used will be diesel-electric , designed to run on a track gauge of 1435 mm and a distance between rail mushroom centers of 1505 mm; with wheels compatible with a 115 RE lbs/yd rail, and a maximum speed of 177-200 km/h.

The project requires five trains, each less than 210 meters long and with a floor height above the track of 1,150 mm. They will have a capacity of between 350 and 500 seats, an inter-circulation aisle, spaces for people with reduced mobility, luggage racks, restrooms, and a cafeteria.

Demand for the Querétaro-Irapuato train, based on public/international and private modes, is expected to reach 10,669 passengers daily. The travel time will be one hour and 17 minutes.

The study revealed that the construction of the Querétaro-Irapuato section could generate some social conflicts “and further fragment the territory, so any problems that arise must be carefully managed to minimize their negative impact.”

For its part, the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) is in the process of acquiring the remaining properties to complete the clearing of the right-of-way, which requires the funds allocated for the investment project.

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El cargo More than 98 billion pesos for the Querétaro-Irapuato train; it will also transport cargo. apareció primero en T21.

The AIFA-Pachuca, Mexico-Querétaro and Querétaro-Irapuato passenger trains will have an investment of more than 269 billion pesos , amounts higher than those announced by the federal government in recent months.

According to the Portfolio Investment Project document presented by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) , the AIFA-Pachuca train requires 51 billion 874 million 963 thousand 647 pesos for its construction, a project that would have to be ready in 24 months.

This amount is 3.7% higher than that announced in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) last January and which this media reported at the time. But it is also 16.9% higher than what was announced by the federal government at the end of last year on the agency’s Projects page.

However, to this cost would have to be added the operation and maintenance costs estimated at 568 million 696 thousand 742 without VAT per year, although this would reach 871 million 106 thousand 581 pesos without VAT by 2056.

This project will be 57.1 kilometers (km) long, with two tracks where nine passenger trains will run , which will be composed of two “A1-A2” cabin motor cars, with a capacity of 192 seats; an “A3” intermediate car, with 163 seats and two “A4-A5” intermediate cars, also with 179 seats.

It is estimated that the daily demand for 2027 will be 80,738 passengers , so that at an annual level it will be 25,593,946 passengers, while by 2054, the last date of the document, there will be 95,676 daily and 30,329,292 annual passengers.

In addition, it will have three stations, Xaltocán Extension, Tepojaco/Tizayuca/Temascalapa/Huitzila and Pachuca). With a travel time of 35 minutes. Operating hours from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (20 hours of service).

It will mostly use the existing right-of-way of tracks H, HA and HC of the Mexican Railway System and new right-of-way required at certain points that are required to have an optimized layout.

The speed of the trains will be 120 km/h and will run on a double electrified track with catenary traction to align with what is implemented in the Suburban Train that goes from Lechería to AIFA.

“The Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) is in the process of acquiring the missing properties to complete the Release of the Right of Way, for which the resources that will be allocated for the investment project are required,” the document states.

As an optimization measure, the improvement of the roads that are currently used for the connection between Pachuca and the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) is proposed . These measures consider major maintenance that includes the resurfacing of both free and toll roads, this includes sealing irrigation, application of carpets, releveling, pavement recovery, among other works that require 279 million 696 thousand 384 pesos .

It should be noted that the federal government reserved, without giving details, the annexes of this project that contain the technical, legal, economic studies and calculation reports of the cost-benefit analysis for a period of five years.

This weekend, Andrés Lajous Loaeza, head of ARTF, announced that the Mexico-Querétaro and Querétaro-Irapuato trains will have an investment of around 144 billion pesos and 73 billion pesos, respectively.

For the first, it should be noted that the announced amount is 92% higher than what was previously stated in the SHCP, which was 75 billion pesos.

For this project, 225 km of double track will be built , with trains that can go up to 200 km/h and with a travel time from Mexico to Querétaro of one hour and 50 minutes. Its main stops will be: Buenavista (in Mexico City), Tula, San Juan del Río and Querétaro, and it will generate 180 thousand jobs: 69 thousand direct and 120 thousand indirect. It will be completed by the end of 2027.

The Querétaro-Irapuato Train , a 110 km double-track train , will cost 73 billion pesos and will benefit three million inhabitants in the main cities of Querétaro and Guanajuato. It will have speeds of up to 200 km/h in a travel time of just under an hour.

Construction work will be carried out between 2025 and 2027 to put the trains into operation in 2028 and it will be connected to public transport in all the cities it will pass through: Querétaro, Celaya, Salamanca and Irapuato; it will generate 88 thousand jobs: 30 thousand direct and 58 thousand indirect.

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El cargo More than 269 billion pesos only for AIFA-Pachuca, Mexico-Querétaro and Querétaro-Irapuato trains apareció primero en T21.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) reported that the AIFA-Pachuca train will have a double track for passenger and cargo operations , a project that will require an investment of 50 billion pesos.

According to project documents, 10% of the total investment will be used to implement prevention, mitigation and compensation measures .

The AIFA-Pachuca train will have a length of 55 kilometers (km) , and will continue with a new branch from the AIFA station, starting at the existing Jaltocan intercity train station.

It will have speeds of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 85 km/h for freight, as well as axle loads of 32.5 tonnes for product trains and 19 tonnes for passenger trains.

He specified that from the point of view of the use of materials for the structural section of railway tracks, three types of tracks will be analyzed:

• Type I Railways. These are railways that will support the passage of loads exceeding 30 million net tons/year. Electrified tracks will be included here.
• Type II Railways. These are railways that will support the passage of loads between 10 million and 30 million net tons/year.
•  Type III Railways: These are railways that will support the passage of loads of less than 10 million net tons/year.

“The AIFA-Pachuca railway will be developed on the right of an existing track for more than 50% of its length. In total, the project has a surface area of ​​251.0815 hectares (ha), of which 133.014 ha correspond to existing right of way and 118.068 ha correspond to new affected areas,” he said.

The construction of two stations is planned : the first, Pachuca, located in the municipality of Mineral de Reforma, and Tepojaco in Tizayuca, both in the state of Hidalgo.

In addition, the modernization and reconstruction of existing works is planned, such as 13 railway crossings (bridges), 61 transversal drainage works and 42 vehicle crossings.

“The start of operations at Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) represents a change in the dynamics of passenger and cargo mobility in the metropolitan area of ​​the Valley of Mexico, which requires rethinking existing mobility systems to facilitate access and movement of people and goods, taking advantage of the potential that an air terminal brings with it,” he said.

It is worth remembering that last October, the federal government announced that the AIFA-Pachuca train will have a distance of 64 kilometers, of which 14 kilometers would be on an elevated structure and some level crossings. In addition, it mentioned that it would be a  double-track electrified railway infrastructure , with electric trains with a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour and a capacity of more than 700 passengers.

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El cargo AIFA-Pachuca train will transport passengers and cargo apareció primero en T21.

According to the documents, for the Mexico-Nuevo Laredo Railway System, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) requested 909 million pesos from the Ministry of Finance for the preparation of the cost and benefit analysis, technical, economic, legal and environmental feasibility.

Likewise, its profitability must be analysed from a socio-economic point of view. Market studies of supply and demand, calibration of the model and analysis of the release of the right of way are contemplated.

Also those related to environmental feasibility, the road network, in addition to the existing infrastructure, among others.

“With the preparation of pre-investment studies, we will have the basis for decision-making, reducing uncertainty during the execution and operation stages,” he said.

He specified that of the total resources, 133 million 655 thousand 211 pesos will be allocated for the start of the studies , starting this month until December, while until June 2025, the remaining 775 million 344 thousand 789 pesos.

For the AIFA-Pachuca train, the SICT requested 84 million pesos for the pre-investment studies, which began this month and will end in May of next year.

“The studies are intended to determine the feasibility of implementing a passenger rail system on Line HA that connects the southern region of Hidalgo with the State of Mexico,” he said.

He explained that the project to be developed seeks to take advantage of the existing railway right-of-way, starting in Pachuca de Soto and ending at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).

The studies to be carried out include cost-benefit analysis, socioeconomic feasibility , and mobility benefits. Market studies on supply and demand, model calibration, and analysis of right-of-way release are contemplated.

It should be noted that, according to the federal government, this project will have an investment of 50 billion pesos , will have a distance of 64 kilometers, of which 14 kilometers will be on an elevated structure and some level crossings. It will be built on the existing right of way.

It will be a double-track electrified railway infrastructure, with electric trains with a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour and a capacity of more than 700 passengers.

In early October, Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, said that the estimated date of delivery of the work will be at the end of 2026 and the start of operations, after testing and certification, will be in the first quarter of 2027.

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El cargo This is what the pre-investment studies for the Mexico-Nuevo Laredo and AIFA-Pachuca trains will cost apareció primero en T21.

Alstom , a company dedicated to the manufacture of trains , confirmed that it will participate in the tenders carried out by the Government of Mexico for the different passenger train projects, since it has the capacity to build any type of model.

 “When the tenders are issued, we will be very interested in participating, doing our best and making our proposals,” said Maite Ramos, the company’s general manager in Mexico.

In an interview, he said that the company has the capacity to build any type of train, such as the Mayan Train that uses diesel, dual-fuel, electric and one of the first to have a hydrogen train.

“We can build whatever technology you want, with whatever design, composition, material, build in aluminum, carbon, stainless steel,” he said.

The current federal administration has announced, so far, the beginning of preliminary studies for the AIFA-Pachuca Train and the Mexico-Querétaro Train , which will be developed by the military.

The first is estimated to require an investment of 44,667 million pesos (mdp). It will be a double-track electrified railway infrastructure, so it will have electric trains with a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour and a capacity of more than 700 passengers.

For the Mexico-Querétaro line, whose expected investment is 75 billion pesos, a fleet of trains with a capacity of 450 passengers and a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour is planned.

Maite Ramos commented that the plant they have in the country is the third largest in the world, 495 thousand square meters, so they have the necessary capacity to face the new railway projects of this six-year term.

Currently, they continue with the production of the convoys for the Maya Train , more than 1,300 cars for the San Francisco subway, as well as others for New Jersey and Toronto.

“There is a lot of capacity, but it is not just that, what interests us most is making trains for Mexico made in Mexico, so we have the space, we have the capacity and not only that, I think that in recent years we have all learned a lot in the railway industry, we already have knowledge and a learning curve that allows us to know how to do things and to do them better each time,” he said.

Regarding the units for the Maya Train, he indicated that the 10 diesel trains have already been delivered, although in the next few days they will be arriving at 23 units, “we are halfway through the fleet and we will continue to deliver according to the schedule and they will be finished in 2025.”

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El cargo Alstom confirms interest in new passenger trains apareció primero en T21.

The federal government has begun preliminary studies for the AIFA-Pachuca Train , which will have an investment of 50 billion pesos (mdp), 30 billion mdp more than the cost mentioned last July, and will be built by the Armed Forces.

Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, said that the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) and the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) signed a collaboration agreement for the work required for this project.

“We will be helped by military engineers, who are really good: they built trains, airports, welfare banks, hospitals. There will also be construction with private companies in the country, but in this case we made the decision of the Felipe Ángeles Engineers Group,” he said.

During the start of the preliminary works, an agreement was also signed with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) to begin the environmental impact assessment studies.

“This train will have a lot of bridges, overpasses, because it will be completely confined, it will be completely confined. And after here, we will go north, we will go to Nuevo Laredo. The goal is to have a train from Mexico City to Nuevo Laredo. Soon we will be in Querétaro as well,” he said.

For his part, Jesús Esteva Medina, head of SICT, explained that this train will benefit more than 100 thousand people and will connect the most important cities of Hidalgo with the metropolitan area of ​​Mexico City.

The AIFA-Pachuca train will have a distance of 64 kilometers, of which 14 kilometers will be on an elevated structure and some will have level crossings. It will be built on the existing right of way. It will generate about 40 thousand direct and indirect jobs.

It will be a double-track electrified railway infrastructure , with electric trains with a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour and a capacity of more than 700 passengers.

“From now on, the preliminary work and the studies will begin. We will be starting, well, the Ministry of Defense. This is very important to mention, all this work is done in collaboration with different agencies of the Government of Mexico, especially the Military Engineers Group that will be building it,” he said.

Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, head of Sedena, confirmed that preliminary studies will begin to obtain the information necessary for the development of the executive project for this road under the highest standards of safety, efficiency and sustainability.

The estimated date of completion of the project will be at the end of 2026 and the start of operations, after testing and certification, will be in the first quarter of 2027.

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El cargo Federal Government “Launches” AIFA-Pachuca Train; Greenlights Preliminary Studies apareció primero en T21.