Riviera Maya, Q. R. — After months of being suspended, work has resumed on section 5 south of the Maya Train. In the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) presented by Fonatur, the project will be operational in 24 months but at a higher cost.
According to the Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental (MIA), the investment required for section 5 is now more than 28.1 billion peso, more than double the original estimated cost of 13 billion peso.
The additional costs are being blamed on plan and route changes which has taken the track from the center of the federal 307 to run approximately 7 kilometers west of the coast. The project is being funded by the federal government.
The document acknowledges challenges along section 5 that include karstic soil and cenotes, however, the MIA maintains that the necessary measures will be taken to mitigate construction, operation and environmental risks by design.
Even with judicial delays, the agency says the project will still be operational in about 24 months.
Once complete, the double-track railway line will be used for passengers and cargo with a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour. Along with transporting people, it will be used to transport food, fuel and miscellaneous merchandise.