Why Mexico’s $29B Train Megaproject Is So Controversial | WSJ Breaking Ground

Mexico’s $29 billion Tren Maya megaproject is set to open on Dec. 15 after 3 years of construction and controversy. The 950 mile-long tracks could enrich the region by ferrying 8,000 passengers a day from Cancun to Tulum to Merida. Mexican officials say the project will kickstart the Yucatan’s economy—but what are environmentalists and economists saying?

WSJ explains what the Maya Train says about Mexico’s drive for growth and the costs that come with it.

Chapters:
0:00 The Maya Train
0:49 Why Mexico is building
2:50 The cost to the people
4:35 The cost to the government
4:59 The cost to the environment

Breaking Ground digs into megaprojects around the world, uncovering what these developments might mean for the surrounding region and the ultimate costs.

#Mexico #Megaprojects #WSJ

[batacafe]

Europe builds infrastructure: "Progress!"
Mexico builds infrastructure: "How dare you?!"

[datianlongan]

Every time a developing country builds something it’s always portrayed negatively because it means that poorer country is another step closer to catching up to the rich nations.

[koalafro]

As an American traveler who frequents Tulum, Mexico, I don't mind paying a lil more taxes to help support this project and the economy

[volant]

Why nobody talks about all the Hotels that are contaminating the Area? and is not money for our country cause all the hotels are owned by foreing companies. Tren Maya is a Mexican project, by Mexicans and for Mexicans.

[torao]

There's a 4 lane highway parallel to the proposed train (rt 307 and rt 180) that ALREADY cuts through the jungle but instead has dirty polluting cars instead of a more efficient train. The train should not be controversial when the highway already exists.

[joe.]

hold on how is this a issue??? Mexico is trying to build a train that will create millions of jobs and that will increase Mexico's economy...What is the issue??? This project is a good thing for all of Mexico

[fernandodiazdiaz]

😂😂😂Controversial? Eighty percent of Mexicans agree with the train, the only ones who consider it controversial are the multinationals, including the American ones that could not get rich

[guillegalindo]

Thats bs, the environmental studies were done a year before construction, that isn’t mentioned in this biased video. The route was changed a few times to accommodate the cenotes and underground caves found DURING these studies. All these pseudo environmentalist in these US funded NGO’s, didn’t protest about the devastation caused by US mining companies like Calica, in the region. The infamous ngo “Selvame del tren” specifically used to oppose this project, is literally funded by NED, used by the US to destabilize countries around the world.

[erikagalavis]

As a Mexican, I’m very proud of the Tren Maya!!!

[just_some_bigfoot_hacking_you]

Rich countries: "Let's promote mass transpo system for better efficiency and lesser carbon emission."
Poor countries exactly doing it for the greater good.
Also rich countries: "Wait, that's illegal..."

[hesdam]

A railway project is a much better definition of progress than projects that would satisfy automakers (highways and freeways).

Mexico is doing the right thing.

[BetoMexicano]

So, The Wall Street Journal interviews Antonio Azuela, who is supposedly an authority in the field. However, he was Mexico's environmental attorney in the 90s. And do you know what the state of the environment was like back then? When did these so-called authorities actually care about southeastern Mexico? Everyone has an opinion, and his is just one among many. It's easy to talk, but what about taking action?

[WillKalili]

I grew up visiting my grandmother in Mexico and one thing that stood out was the dire need for new infrastructure. I'm glad AMLO is finally stepping up to the plate and building the much needed trains and roads that the country has needed, not to mention countless of other telecommunications, healthcare, and educational projects.

[jonferace]

It is not controversial, stop talking nonsense, in Mexico the majority of people including the indigenous natives agree with this train

[DistractedDaisy]

Kudos for Mexico! They’re doing what US can’t do because of over regulation and ridiculous labor cost! California has been trying to complete the environmental studies for last 10 years and still not started and already over budget!

[salvadorvalle]

Dr. Azuela, what did you do to prevent the ecological disaster caused by the Vulcan company (Calica) in Playa del Carmen and the Xcaret group in the Yucatan cenote ring? his professional career, his performance as Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Mexico) and advisor to state governments and federal agencies on urban planning and environmental law stands out operated for 36 years and devastated 1, 200 hectares of jungle, underground rivers, cenotes and mangroves, causing an environmental disaster that destroyed the jungle and contaminated water and soil in the region

[ao]

Environmentalists be criticizing the project, but travel non-stop via plane and use other types of transportation that pollute and affect the environment, but no one talks about it. Of course environmentalists are so capable of criticizing, but can’t up the economy.

[isrraelflores-bonilla]

So nice to see all the support for Mexico 🇲🇽, thank you all.

[Regalman]

I had a dream that mexico built a high speed train from Oaxaca to Tijuana wow that would make America and Canada look so bad.

[marting.h.]

Those complaining about the environment impact are just a bunch of hypocrites. Those “environmentalists” did nothing when all the touristic infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, etc.) was initiated many years ago, devastating so much of the jungle; now even some stretches of rivers and some “cenotes” are in private properties. The gringo company “Vulcan materials” (CALICA) destroyed for many years a large portion of jungle, even using dynamite, and nobody said anything about it. In Europe, the main means of transportation is by train, and obviously it had environmental impact. Yes, the infrastructure was over the initial budget allocation but in some cases was due to changes (more stations, change of route, etc.). Can you tell what kind of infrastructure, in the whole world, was built within the budget. Over the budget projects has been the norm in all projects in Mexico since so many decades ago.