The proximity of the railway tracks to the El Cerrito area, which is only 80 centimeters away, will structurally affect homes in the area, in addition to impacting mobility, access, and urban dynamics with the expansion of the Mexico City-Querétaro rail project.
This was announced by Avatar Flores Gutiérrez, coordinator of the Master’s Program in Architecture at the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ), who explained that the project includes the addition of four tracks, two for freight trains and two for passenger trains, which necessitates an expansion in the area.
He further explained that some of the impacts are related to the right-of-way, the strip of land where the tracks are restricted and where, over time, some homes have been partially built.
According to Article 29 of the Railway Service Regulations, the right-of-way must include a strip of land at least 15 meters wide on each side of the railway line. However, even residents of El Tepe and El Cerrito have pointed out the limited space that will be available with this new railway infrastructure.
According to a specialist and local resident, the railway widening project to incorporate new lines will directly impact buildings near the tracks, especially in neighborhoods where there is currently minimal separation between homes and the train tracks.
“It’s a project with many facets and people involved, and not everything has been made public; there isn’t much information. But regarding the right-of-way, there is a restriction, and it seems that over time there have been some cases where homes have encroached slightly within this right-of-way. What is needed now is to widen it, but this will affect the existing buildings.”
This opinion has been shared by Irlanda Riverol Pérez, spokesperson for the Multidisciplinary Citizen Observatory of the Mexico-Querétaro Train, who pointed out that the Partial Urban Development Plan for the Monument and Traditional Neighborhood Zone includes removing the tracks from the city center.
Ana Lilia Echavarría, an organized resident who lives near the train tracks, warns about the scale of the project, explaining that the tracks extend 23 meters from the facade of her house to her neighbor’s, crossing the tracks, which violates federal regulations.
Flores Gutiérrez, in this regard, mentioned that the proximity between the houses and the new tracks will cause an increase in vibrations from the constant passage of trains. “If there are vibrations now, there will definitely be more, and they will be felt closer,” she stated.
Given this, she emphasized the importance of identifying the areas where the structural and urban impacts could be greatest in order to implement mitigation measures. He also pointed out that the railway project not only impacts housing but also modifies roads and crossings used daily by residents of various nearby neighborhoods.
“This is in terms of housing, but we have other impacts related to roads and access, at a crucial thoroughfare like Invierno Street, where all the pedestrian traffic between Tepe and the city center and vice versa is vital. It’s a vital connection for the local market; many of us get our supplies there, and cutting off this route risks shortages.”
He warned that interrupting or modifying this crossing could affect the mobility of senior citizens, children, people with disabilities, and workers who constantly cross the railway area, a widespread concern among residents of the various neighborhoods.
Source: oem
