Major archaeological find could hold up Maya train

The route of Mexico’s Maya train project may have to adjusted as experts have halted work in Campeche state to study more than 5,300 archaeological discoveries made in surveys ahead of construction.

The route remains unaltered at present, but that could change depending on a detailed study to be carried out by Mexico’s anthropology and history institute (INAH).

Rogelio Jiménez Pons (pictured), the director of tourism board Fonatur, the federal agency supervising the project, said in a videoconference that the area recently uncovered is an archeological zone the size of Palenque and is near the municipality of Candelaria, Campeche state.

Candelaria is a proposed stop between the Escárcega and El Triunfo stations on stretch one of the train project, which runs from Palenque in Chiapas state to Escárcega in Campeche.

“This is an area extremely rich in archaeological terms,” said Jiménez, “This has obviously caused some delays, because 5,300 archaeological finds have been found in one section.” 

He explained that no excavations have yet been made, but the INAH is already aware of the discovery and any possible changes to the route “will be known once there are more details.” 

Mexico’s culture ministry also issued a statement to say that the area may eventually be opened to the public, representing yet another cultural attraction adding value to the Maya train project, but that would “involve a lengthy process that has to do with the exploration, conservation and assessment of the value of the site to offer the conditions implied by receiving the public.”

The ministry went on to say the Candelaria site featured “monumental architecture,” including roads, platforms, housing areas and other structures. 

Fonatur made the discovery through so-called LIDAR (light detection and ranging) flights, a technology that allows researchers to penetrate soil and foliage to detect hidden elements underneath.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Expected to cost at least US$7.8bn, the Maya train project is divided into seven stretches through five southeastern Mexican states – Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, Chiapas and Quintana Roo, running more than 1,500km. 

Pons said that intensive work had already begun on the first four stretches (Palenque-Escárcega, Escárcega-Calkiní, Calkiní-Izamal and Izamal-Cancún) and will soon begin on the fifth section (Cancún-Tulum).

The design elements of the various stations on the line are advancing rapidly as well, he said, adding that construction is expected to begin on some stations in 2021. 

Jiménez added that officials believe they can begin construction this year on multiple solar power plants in Tulum, Cozumel and Los Cabos (not Los Cabos in Baja California), which will be designed to provide clean energy to the Maya train.

KEEPING BOTH EYES ON CARSO

In other comments, Jiménez said Fonatur would be keeping “both eyes” on works executed by Carso Infraestructura y Construcción (CICSA), as well as all other firms working on the train project, responding to concerns raised on the discovery of shoddy construction in the construction of line No. 12 on the Mexico City metro.

Independent Norwegian firm DNV issued its first report on Wednesday on the May 3 span collapse that killed 26 and injured more than 100, citing poorly executed welds and other signs that work carried out by CICSA in the construction may be the primary cause behind the tragedy.

Grupo Carso shares fell on the release of the report, as CICSA was responsible for building the section that collapsed.  

Jiménez said that responsibility for the incident has yet to be determined, but even if found to be at fault, that does not mean that the consortium or companies acted deliberately or that such a situation will be repeated.