The Tren Maya is Increasingly Farther From its December Inauguration
TULUM, Mexico – The Tulum Times has been closely monitoring the progress of the highly anticipated Tren Maya, a project that promises to reshape transportation and tourism in the Yucatán Peninsula. As we approach the three-month mark before its scheduled inauguration, a startling revelation has come to light. The Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) has acknowledged that tramos 5, 6, and 7 of the Tren Maya are nowhere near the halfway mark in terms of construction.
In a recent presidential conference held at Palacio Nacional, Gustavo Ricardo Vallejo, the chief resident engineer of the Dirección General de Ingenieros de la Sedena, disclosed that the final segments of the Tren Maya, which is set to span an impressive 621 kilometers of rail, have made progress of less than 50%.
Tramo 5, spanning 111 kilometers of electrified double-track from Cancún to Tulum, currently stands at a physical completion rate of 43.2%. This segment is expected to host three strategically located stations, enhancing accessibility for travelers.
Moving further south, Tramo 6, covering the route from Tulum to Chetumal over 255.8 kilometers of electrified double-track, has achieved an advancement of 44.12%. In addition to the rail infrastructure, a maintenance depot and storage facility are being constructed to ensure the smooth operation of this crucial route.
Meanwhile, Tramo 7, which extends over 254.5 kilometers from Chetumal to Escárcega, has reached a completion rate of 44.11%. This section boasts four stations and a dedicated maintenance center to facilitate ongoing service excellence.
Gustavo Ricardo Vallejo, speaking confidently about the Tren Maya project, assured the public, “We are progressing smoothly.” The Tren Maya, an ambitious undertaking, consists of seven segments spanning a total of 1,554 kilometers of railway.
Despite the government’s commitment to completing the Tren Maya by December, it is important to note that additional funding is on the horizon. By 2024, the federal government plans to allocate an additional 120,000 million pesos to the project, potentially increasing the total cost of this iconic endeavor championed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador by up to 208%.
According to data from the Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo (Fonatur) and the Chamber of Deputies, the construction of this project had already exceeded its initial budget by 78% from 2019 to June of this year. However, when factoring in the resources projected to be allocated by the government until 2024, this figure skyrockets to a staggering 208%.
The Tren Maya project continues to capture the imagination of those who call Tulum and the Yucatán Peninsula home, as well as travelers from around the world. It represents a significant investment in infrastructure, tourism, and the future of the region. The Tulum Times will keep a close eye on its progress and any developments that may impact the people and places it touches.
