The Regulatory Agency for Railway Transport (ARTF), under Mexico’s Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT), has announced that construction of the new passenger rail lines between Querétaro–Irapuato and Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo will begin in July 2025 and will be executed through a series of strategic construction blocks.
The 107.8 km Querétaro–Irapuato route will be built in four segments:
-
Apaseo El Grande–Querétaro (30.7 km), where works will begin
-
Irapuato station segment (1.8 km)
-
Irapuato–Cortázar (46.9 km)
-
Cortázar–Apaseo El Grande (28.4 km)
Once operational, this corridor is expected to serve around 4 million annual trips, with the exact figure to be confirmed through ongoing feasibility studies.
The 393.9 km Saltillo–Monterrey–Nuevo Laredo corridor will be built across six construction fronts:
-
Unión San Javier–Arroyo El Sauz (99.9 km), where works will commence
-
Derramadero–Ramos Arizpe (54.1 km)
-
Ramos Arizpe–Santa Catarina (63.25 km)
-
Monterrey–Joyas Anáhuac (19.4 km)
-
Joyas Anáhuac–Unión San Javier (23.8 km)
-
Arroyo El Sauz–Nuevo Laredo (133.5 km)
Initial estimates indicate that this line could serve 5.5 million passengers per year once in operation, with figures to be refined through additional studies.
According to ARTF Director David Lajous Loaeza, public tenders for both Mexico rail routes have already been issued through the SICT, led by Jesús Antonio Esteva Medina. Construction companies can now submit proposals to secure contracts for the various segments.
Each rail line will include a definitive executive project, to be handed over to the selected contractors. This documentation includes topographical surveys, geotechnical studies, and final technical specifications for materials, construction methods, and railway systems.
Construction will involve environmental mitigation works, drainage, earthworks, and the installation of major structures such as bridges and viaducts. Once these stages are complete, the testing and commissioning phase will begin, including static and dynamic testing, system integration, and the final delivery of documentation.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth week of July following the conclusion of the tender process.
These two lines are part of a broader national passenger rail development programme. Alongside the Mexico City–AIFA–Pachuca and Mexico City–Querétaro corridors, launched in March and April respectively, the total rail network being developed in this first stage will span 774 kilometres.
Share on:
