Maya Train Expansion to Progreso Port Boosts Cargo Transport

The Federal government has announced plans to extend the Maya Train project to the port of Progreso in Yucatan. The initiative, part of the Plan Mexico Project, aims to start construction soon so that the Maya Train can reach Progreso and operate as a cargo train. The 70-kilometer railway is expected to be completed in a year and a half.

The railway, which will be managed by the military, will also connect with the Interoceanic Corridor. The project's investment is estimated to be over $38,000 million pesos. However, there are concerns about the project's timeline as the expansion of the deep-sea port, crucial for handling the anticipated increase in cargo, is expected to take four years.

Details about the Maya Train project were shared by Adrian Lajous, Director of Rail Transport, and Gustavo Vallejo, commander of the engineering group. Lajous confirmed that a 70 km railway will be built, but did not provide specifics about the route.

Vallejo outlined the project's plans, which include the construction of 10 "loading complexes", the first of which will be in Progreso, Poxilá, Palenque, and Cancún. He also confirmed that work on the railway will begin this month, with the basic engineering of the loading complexes almost complete. Vallejo emphasized the project's commitment to environmental and archaeological conservation, and highlighted the collaboration with the Yucatan government.

The Progreso railway is part of a larger federal investment of $157,000 million to build more passenger and cargo trains across the country. Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena expressed that the expansion of the Maya Train will not only improve the transportation of goods but also enhance the state's port infrastructure. The new route is expected to streamline the import and export of products.