Background on Coconal and the Project
Coconal, a prominent Mexican construction firm, has been awarded a significant contract valued at 476.6 million pesos to build the Arco Sur railway bridge’s upper passage in Colima. The Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT) oversaw the international public bidding process.
Project Details and Timeline
Construction activities commenced over the weekend, with a 365-day natural deadline for completion. The bidding process initiated on April 4 via the CompraNet platform, later transformed into ComprasMX. Due to numerous technical inquiries from interested companies—including Recsa, Jaguar Ingenieros Constructores, ASCH, Grupo Caminero del Bajío, Impulsora de Desarrollo Integral, GAMI Ingeniería e Instalaciones, and Coconal itself—the original timeline had to be extended.
Scope of Construction
The Arco Sur upper passage project encompasses various tasks, such as earthworks, mechanically stabilized retaining walls, drainage works, reinforced and prestressed concrete structures, pavement, horizontal and vertical signage, relocation of induced works, and lateral street reconstruction.
Government Priorities and Community Impact
As part of the federal government’s priority infrastructure, this project aims to be as minimally invasive as possible while maintaining current traffic flow in the work area. The construction will address a problematic, dangerous, and congested railway crossing as well as the lack of connection between Colima’s south and nearby industrial or service zones.
According to Governor Indira Vizcaíno, the project will facilitate development in tourism, industry, and agroindustry sectors while easing local road congestion, enhancing road safety, and reducing accidents. This will result in more efficient north-south and south-north mobility.
Bidding Process and Contract Award
Based on the licitation outcome, SICT’s Directorate General of Highways specified that Coconal was chosen due to its lowest-priced, legally, technically, and economically compliant proposal. The contractor received a 20% advance on the contract to initiate work.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the project? The Arco Sur railway bridge’s upper passage construction in Colima, valued at 476.6 million pesos.
- Who won the contract? Coconal, a Mexican construction company.
- What does the project entail? The project includes earthworks, drainage works, reinforced and prestressed concrete structures, pavement, signage, relocation of induced works, and lateral street reconstruction.
- Why is this project important? It addresses a problematic railway crossing, improves connectivity between Colima’s south and nearby industrial or service zones, and supports the development of tourism, industry, and agroindustry sectors.
- What was the bidding process like? The bidding process started on April 4 and faced delays due to numerous technical inquiries from interested companies. Coconal was ultimately awarded the contract based on its lowest-priced, compliant proposal.
