Mexico infra projects move ahead

Construction companies Coconal and Aleatica provided updates on projects in Mexico.

At BNamericas’ 2022 Mexico infrastructure opportunities webinar, Coconal director Héctor Ovalle Mendivil said work on the 170km, 8.2bn-peso (US$377mn) Barranca Larga-Ventanilla toll road will restart and is expected to finish in August. 

Construction started 10 years ago but stalled multiple times. 

“What is interesting about this project is the interaction or integration of so many disciplines and institutions or organizations: the finance ministry (SHCP), [development bank] Banobras, the industrial property institute (IMPI), the environment ministry (Semarnat), the state, agrarian zones, residents, so it is a joint effort that should be completed,” he said. 

Rubén López, CEO of Australian operator Aleatica, told another panel that the 3.9bn-peso road link between the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense (CEM) multi-state highways and the Felipe Ángeles international airport (AIFA) in Mexico state "faced a number of obstacles like permits, issues with the anthropology and history institute."

Works on the link started 11 months ago. It will be key to the airport’s proper functioning, according to López.

“These roads will be strategic for connectivity, efficiency and the operation of new airport. They will also be important to connect part of Mexico City in less time with Michoacán, Jalisco and the north of the country,” he said. 

Last year, the government amended Aleatica’s concession for the CEM highways to enable construction of the 7km link. AIFA is planned to start operations in March.