CMS advises on ‘Train Maya’ rail project

CMS was appointed by the Mexican Government to advise on the flagship infrastructure project of the new federal administration, the Train Maya project. The team is led by partners Derek Woodhouse, Enrique Lorente Ludlow and Marcia Santomé who are based in Mexico City. 

Train Maya is one of the world’s largest and most significant rail projects and the first of its size and scale in Latin America. Total investment will be around USD 10bn and more than 1,500km of rail track will be built.

When completed, within an ambitious timeframe of five years, it will connect popular tourist destinations in south east Mexico, such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, with other important towns and cities in the region, such as Mérida and Palenque.

According to Derek Woodhouse, “In addition to increasing connectivity and consequently boosting tourism, it will enable local residents in isolated areas to travel, which was previously unaffordable or too time-consuming, as well as creating thousands of employment opportunities.”

Now in the second year of its engagement, CMS in Mexico is advising FONATUR, the responsible government entity, on the implementation of the project as part of the Office for the Management of the Train Maya Project (OMP), a consortium with Grupo Typsa, the Spanish engineering firm with offices in Mexico. The OMP scope of work covers all legal and technical aspects of the procurement and construction of the entire project, including the construction of the platforms and rail tracks, the acquisition of railway systems, the implementation of necessary road adjustments for the train’s path, the acquisition of signalling and telecommunications equipment and contracting for supervision of the design, works and security.

In addition, the OMP will serve as a coordinator and link between FONATUR and various governmental authorities, as well as with consultants engaged for other aspects including the management of environmental permits, rights of way and archaeological matters.