Introduction to Tren Maya and its Charging Stations
The Tren Maya, a significant railway project in Mexico, is making strides in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas. Gustavo Ricardo Vallejo Suárez, leading the Felipe Ángeles Engineering Group responsible for the construction, reported a 13% average progress on five charging stations during a conference with President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Charging Stations Under Construction
Seven construction fronts have been initiated for the building of five charging stations in Cancún, Palenque, Poxilá, Progreso, and Mérida. The estimated costs are as follows:
- Cancún: 7,777 million pesos
- Palenque: 4,934.70 million pesos
- Poxilá: 4,812 million pesos
- Progreso: 5,158 million pesos
- Mérida: Cost not disclosed
Vallejo Suárez, a military engineer, emphasized their commitment to environmental programs and collaboration with the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History) for archaeological prospecting and preservation, generating approximately 9,000 direct jobs.
Features of the Charging Stations
These intermodal terminals will include receiving and dispatching tracks, classification tracks, public and intermodal tracks, an exchange platform, temporary storage areas, administrative buildings, maintenance workshops, inspected enclosures, and Guardia Nacional detachments.
Additional Stations in the Original Plan
The original plan includes five more stations or loading yards in Valladolid (1,451.80 million pesos), Pomuch (1,146.63 million pesos), Xpujil (1,133.32 million pesos), Escárcega (1,452.70 million pesos), and Tulum (154.85 million pesos).
Connecting Railway Lines
An important announcement during the conference from Palacio Nacional is that the connection railway line between the Tehuantepec Isthmus railway and Tren Maya in Palenque will be completed by December 5. This link will enable the Tren Maya circuit to connect with the national railway network, facilitating cargo transport from the southern border to the northern part of the country, forming a network exceeding 25,000 kilometers of tracks.
Vallejo Suárez explained that Mexico’s railway infrastructure comprises approximately 17,300 kilometers of primary and secondary concessioned lines, 4,470 kilometers of loading yards and embankments, and around 1,500 kilometers of private lines within the industry. Adding the Tren Maya’s 1,500 kilometers and roughly 200 kilometers of new loading yards and platforms in Progreso results in a total of about 23,400 kilometers.
Distribution of Combustible
Vallejo Suárez also detailed the new track laying from Poxilá to Progreso:
- Poxilá, located south of Mérida, will host an intermodal cargo complex for Tren Maya, extending tracks to the port.
- At the port, an additional complex with general cargo facilities and a crucial storage and distribution terminal for receiving and distributing fuel via Tren Maya’s new infrastructure, rolling stock, and locomotives will be established.
- The Poxilá-Mérida railway line will be rehabilitated using the old Tehuantepec Isthmus railway line that previously connected Campeche, Mérida, and Progreso.
At least 24 intent-to-build letters have been received from Tren Maya for installing cargo sidings in that segment, Vallejo Suárez added.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Tren Maya? Tren Maya is a significant railway project in Mexico, aiming to connect various regions and facilitate cargo transport.
- How many charging stations are under construction, and where? Five charging stations are being built in Cancún, Palenque, Poxilá, Progreso, and Mérida.
- What are the estimated costs of these stations? The costs are 7,777 million pesos for Cancún, 4,934.70 million pesos for Palenque, 4,812 million pesos for Poxilá, 5,158 million pesos for Progreso, and the cost for Mérida is not disclosed.
- What will these charging stations include? They will have receiving and dispatching tracks, classification tracks, public and intermodal tracks, an exchange platform, temporary storage areas, administrative buildings, maintenance workshops, inspected enclosures, and Guardia Nacional detachments.
- What is the significance of connecting Tren Maya with the national railway network? This connection will enable cargo transport from the southern border to the northern part of Mexico, forming a vast network exceeding 25,000 kilometers of tracks.
- What is the total length of Mexico’s railway infrastructure? It comprises approximately 23,400 kilometers, including primary and secondary concessioned lines, loading yards, embankments, and private lines within the industry.
- What is the plan for fuel distribution along Tren Maya? A complex with storage and distribution terminals will be established at the port, allowing Tren Maya to distribute fuel via its new infrastructure, rolling stock, and locomotives.
