The debate surrounding the safety of the Maya Train has been reignited after PAN Senator Mayuli Latifa Martínez Simón warned of potential subsidence on Section 5 South, which connects Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
The senator raised the need to evaluate operations on this segment as a preventative measure against potential risks.
During a press conference, the senator expressed concerns about the infrastructure, suggesting that the terrain may not be suitable to support the load of the rail system.
In this context, she called for a review of the section’s conditions to prevent scenarios that could compromise passenger safety.
Her statements come in addition to recent reports pointing to possible irregularities in the structure, particularly in elevated areas along the route.
Soil Conditions in the Riviera Maya Under Analysis
Specialists have indicated that Section 5 crosses karst soil, characteristic of the region, composed of highly porous limestone with caverns and underground rivers.
Among the technical aspects mentioned in reports and monitoring are:
Differential settlement in some piles
Exposure of materials to constant subsurface moisture
Challenges in concrete consolidation in natural cavities
Reinforcement work on certain columns
These conditions are part of the analysis of the project’s structural viability in that area.
These concerns have also been documented by specialists and civil organizations.
Engineer Wilberth Esquivel has disseminated information on reinforcement work in the area, while environmental groups have pointed out changes in the subsoil and in the stability of the infrastructure.
In this context, various voices have raised the need for independent expert assessments to obtain a comprehensive technical evaluation of the section.
The debate is taking place against a backdrop of operational incidents in recent years, including a derailment in 2025 on the Izamal section.
These incidents have been cited by political actors and specialists in discussions about the current state of the system.
It has also been pointed out that some design adjustments, such as the construction of elevated viaducts, were implemented during the project’s execution.
In response to the allegations, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced that a technical review of the section will be conducted in coordination with infrastructure sector authorities.
To date, the Maya Train continues operating while the corresponding analyses are underway.
The government has emphasized the importance of verifying the information and ensuring the system’s safety.
Section 5 is located in a region of high environmental sensitivity, home to the Sac Actún cave system.
Organizations have warned of potential impacts on the ecosystem resulting from the project’s construction and operation.
Among the points raised are the interaction of the infrastructure with underground rivers and the need to maintain environmental protection measures in the area.
Proposals and Actions
In this context, Senator Martínez Simón announced that she will promote a resolution urging federal authorities to:
A technical review of Section 5 of the Maya Train
Environmental inspections
Structural risk assessment
An analysis of the system’s operating conditions
The development of the Maya Train, one of the country’s main infrastructure projects, continues to be under review and public debate, particularly regarding its safety, environmental impact, and technical feasibility in areas of high geological complexity.
Source: infobae
