The Mayan train project (Tsíimin K’áak, in the Mayan language) is one of the most important infrastructure works in the history of Mexico. Connecting the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, the train will cover 1,525 km with a passenger capacity of 300 per car.
As the first section of the Mayan Train will start operating in December 2023, Mexican officials just this week provided an update on the progress of the project.
According to the Riviera Maya News, Tren Maya General Director Oscar David Lozano Aguila stated that the ambitious project was still scheduled to debut to the public in December. Construction is progressing “as planned” according to Lozana Aguila and that he doesn’t foresee any setbacks in the near future.
Some of the key notes from his updated included:
- Section 5 north from Cancun to Playa del Carmen registers a physical progress of 43.2 percent
- Section 6 from Tulum to Chetumal was reported at 44.1 percent
- Section 7, the Chetumal to Escarcega run was at 44.1 percent completion
Along with the construction of the tracks, the 42 X’trapolis trains, the railway systems, workshops and garages, the mega project undertaken by the Mexican government will aid in the transportation of locals and travelers across the country.
Further updates by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also presented a positive light on the mega project. He stated that the purchasing and delivery of the freight trains and passenger convoys are well underway to meet the project’s timeline.
4,000 direct jobs and about 7,500 indirect jobs will be generated with this project, in which the 42 trains will be manufactured locally, and will be carried out at the Ciudad Sahagún site, in the state of Hidalgo.
In anticipation of the project’s completion, Tulum Mayor Diego Castanon stated that the region’s archaeological zone received a significant investment from the Mexican government.