Which Mexican infra projects should be the focus for Sheinbaum’s govt?

Mexican construction chamber CMIC announced that it is creating a database containing infrastructure projects in all regions of the country that it believes should be prioritized by the incoming administration, to be led by president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum. 

CMIC president Luis Méndez Jaled said during a press conference on Tuesday that the chamber will pass this list on to Sheinbaum’s team to ensure that everyone is on the same page in terms of working towards advancing priority projects.

“We have produced specific proposals and a preliminary database of strategic logistics infrastructure and transportation projects that we will soon deliver to Jesús Esteva, the incoming minister of infrastructure, communications and transport,” he said. “I believe that in three or four weeks we will have [the projects for] every state.”

The CMIC is currently working with its branches in each state to define the projects to be included in the database. When completed – in approximately four weeks – the list will feature between 170 and 200 priority initiatives.

“We've been in contact with [Sheinbaum's] team, discussing and exchanging opinions, and so far, this has generated positive expectations for us. We hope to collaborate as a team from our position, consistently making proposals,” Méndez told BNamericas in an interview prior to the conference. 

Some of the projects that have been added to the database are the following: 

Northwest Mexico

•  Expansion and modernization of Baja California border crossings

The works involve creating, improving and modernizing complementary road infrastructure, as well as urban equipment and public spaces. 

• Expansion and modernization of Sonora border crossings

Through the modernization of the border crossings in Sonora state and cooperation between Mexico and the United States, trade will become more efficient, the chamber says.

• Widening of Guaymas-Chihuahua highway

The works include widening the highway from two to four lanes, adding a retaining wall on certain sections. 

North-northeast Mexico 

• Improvement of federal highway 45 

The improvement and maintenance of the highway are key to boost economic growth in the southern part of Chihuahua state, according to CMIC. 

• Expansion of Matamoros port

Works to expand the port would have an impact for the states of Coahuila, Durango, Guanajuato, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Veracruz, CMIC says. 

• Upgrade of Altamira port

This project includes upgrading the port and expanding rail connectivity, benefiting the northern and central regions of the country.

Center-west Mexico

• Expansion of the commercial airport in San Luis Potosí

The executive project includes works on 238ha, as well as a full upgrade of the terminal and runways, and construction of a heliport and a shopping center. 

• Construction of Celaya rail beltway

This project includes the construction of the Celaya-NBA line, better known as Ferroférico, which is already underway and is expected to be completed by year-end.

• Improvement of road infrastructure serving Lázaro Cárdenas port

This comprises the upgrade of highways linking the port with the cities of Morelia and Uruapan.

Central Mexico

• Widening of Los Reyes-Mexico state-Zacatepec-Puebla highway

This project entails widening the highway from two to four lanes.

• Southern Arc

This involves building a highway to connect the southeast of Puebla state with Morelos and Mexico states. It would also link Mexico City with Hidalgo, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Querétaro states. 

• Expansion of Mexico City-Pachuca highway

Works include upgrading the highway and widening it to eight lanes. It also comprises the expansion of the highway to connect Pachuca to the Felipe Ángeles international airport (AIFA) serving Mexico City.

Southeast 

• Maintenance of Veracruz-Boca del Río vehicular bridge 

The bridge in Boca del Río municipality, which crosses the Jamapa river, requires significant maintenance work. 

• Construction of bridge over Chetumal bay

This bridge would be 2.3km long, running from La Bota to Calderas on the Xcalak peninsula across from the city of Chetumal in Quintana Roo state. The works would also require the expansion of the Calderitas-Oxtankah highway to reach Luis Echeverría.

• Campeche highway modernization 

The works will ensure the road does not cross the urban area of Champotón, improving connectivity with Progreso port.

Sonora state

In the case of Sonora, the chamber has completed the list of priority projects, which was published on Tuesday morning:

• Expansion and modernization of Guaymas port.
• Expansion of Guaymas-Chihuahua highway from two to four lanes. 
• Expansion of Hermosillo-Bahía de Kino highway.
• Upgrade of highways, Hermosillo-San Luis Río Colorado, Hermosillo-Navojoa, Imuris-Cananea, Hermosillo-Caborca, Hermosillo-Sonoyta, and Hermosillo-Nogales.
• Expansion of Guaymas and Ciudad Obregón airports. 
• Construction of Guaymas-Nogales trade corridor.
• Modernization of border crossings at San Luis Río Colorado, Sonoyta, Sasabe, Nogales, Naco and Agua Prieta. 
• Construction of university road circuit in Ciudad Obregón.
• Maintenance of federal highways.