A key stretch of Mexico’s Tren Maya project, a project valued at 161 billion pesos (8 billion USD), and the construction of an airport near Tulum on the Yucatan peninsula, received land use rights.

FELIPE CARILLO PUERTO – The Municipal Program for Territorial, Ecological and Sustainable Urban Development (Pmotedus), of the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, announced the approval of 2,400 hectares for the new airport, as well as a station on the sixth section of the railroad, that goes from Chetumal to Escárcega.

The airport will be approximately 90 km from Tulum in the state of Quintana Roo and will provide additional travel options in the region to tourists using the Mayan Train.

The train station and surrounding urban development will use 600 hectares of the 2,400 hectares, according to authorities.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced the acquisition of the land in August, but the local government had not yet approved its use at the time.

Like other areas along the train route, Felipe Carrillo Puerto municipality officials expressed hope that giving the green light to the use of land for the train and the airport would generate significant economic benefits for the local community.

They also noted that they expect growth in housing and basic services, as well as better returns for local agricultural products, as the train will offer cargo services in addition to passenger transport. As a result, the authorities predicted a 30% increase in the municipality’s population over the next 5-7 years.

About 35% of the annual budget for the Mayan Train has been spent so far this year and has been used for the construction of railways, in addition to technical supervision, quality control measures and technical studies for the fifth and sixth sections at a cost of 7.5 billion USD.

Funds have also been invested in repair works on the railway that connects Palenque and Campeche.

Source: BNAmericas