Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Coming Soon: Train to Chichen Itza??

This is the first that I have heard of this project, but here is a report regarding the possibility of a train route that would connect the Q. Roo Coast with Campeche -- with stations in Merida, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal along the way...

The blog link above references an article in the newspaper, Diario de Yucatan.  Here is an English translation of the article, brought to you by the fine folks at Google Translate:


Advances Fast Train: The construction of the work would begin in mid-2011
26/06/2010

Federal officials and representatives of private initiative conducted yesterday in rail travel from Merida to Izamal, to monitor the right track towards building the Fast Train announced Peninsular.

According to a newsletter, Rapid Rail construction will begin in mid-2011.

In the journey of recognition of the right of track days attended by the technical secretary of the Executive Office, Ulises Carrillo Cabrera, the director of the Centre SCT Yucatan, Renan Canto Jairala, the Secretaries of Public Works, Francisco Torres Rivas, Economic Development, Diana Medina Castañeda and Urban Development and Environment, Batllori Eduardo Sampedro, as well as state transportation director, Henry Sosa Marrufo and business representatives interested in the project, the statement said.

"We need this type of transport and we will support the federal government will support the project and as with road and port projects, including intermodal terminals," said Renan Canto Jairala.

A federal official said, the fast train is presented as an important project for the entire peninsula but also in communications for the entire country, if we take into account that seek access to the center and north of the country.

Present on the tour, Aaron Dychter, coordinator of the enterprises that carry out the feasibility study, stressed that this is a unique project at the national level, similar to those in Spain, Scotland and India.

"Definitely is unprecedented in the country, so we are dealing with a plan of tourist infrastructure with economic and social sense that is totally doable," he said.

Dychter reported that according to the progress of the plan in October completed the feasibility study which will also be delivered to the appropriate authorities for endorsement and then initiate tenders for and therefore considered that the construction of Peninsular Fast Train by mid 2011.

Five companies are involved in the preparation of feasibility project: Independent Advisory Group, Emmatrons, MS Consultants, GEA and the company led by Aaron Dychter who coordinates the group involving experts in stroke, rolling stock, legal and environmental points.

It is intended that the Fast Train Peninsular, in its first phase, arrive at Chichen Itza, medium and long term Campeche, through the archaeological site of Uxmal and then to the heart of the Riviera Maya, to Calica, also known as Punta Venado content.

Under the project, the Fast Train Peninsular seeks to provide a rail service to transport passengers but also cargo, so that includes modern cars can move at a speed of between 120 and 130 kilometers per hour, with the terminal capital of Yucatan.

"This is a modern train, with diesel engines, whose work will be focused for the long term to use electric technology. It is a tourism project in which the speed will be needed to make it competitive, considering the large number of tourists who can use it to move to various points of interest in the state, "he said.

Present on the tour, Janet Rosado Novelo, technical secretary of the Fast Train, pointed out that rail is the first project of this quality in the country, as emphasized in the progress of the studies, which will allow the project for which require public and private resources.

Projects such as this, he said, require mixing of public and private resources, so it is good that is already finalizing the feasibility study, which will yield the preoperative tests.

As required, the existing right of way to Izamal is in good condition, so only require renovation work, while Valladolid to Calica it must be purchased right of way in various sections, to form the desired path.

We are talking of a major regional development, virtues for the growth of infrastructure, promotion of increased tourism, increased length of stay of visitors, but also good for job creation and welfare, agreed the specialists.

The journey by train from this day included a step-by communities as Tixpéual, Tixkokob, Euan, Cacalchén, Bokobá, Tekantó and Izamal.

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