I'm curious what the ecological impact of this project was/is. As I'm sure you are aware Mike, some of the largest intact old growth sub-tropical rainforests and healthy riparian river systems on Earth are not too far from the isthmus.
Yes, good point. The isthmus rail line is not new - there has been rail across the isthmus since the early 1900s, and before that there was a horse and wagon trail. The rail lines were just not heavily used, because there wasn't adequate port infrastructure on either end. This project is upgrading the rail lines for sure - in addition to putting in port infrastructure. So the impact had largely occurred (not that this is any reason to dismiss that impact). Certainly the Mayan Train project in the Yucatan has been rightly criticized for encroaching on rainforest and natural habitats, and that project is largely new rail lines where none existed before.
That's great news. More choices, more work, and a way to get emergency goods through when the Panama Canal isn't an option for the faster transport times sometimes urgently needed. I didn't know about this and am happy to hear it, as I did know about the issues in Panama.
This project is supposed to bring a lot of jobs to a region that has been on the bottom of the economic scale in Mexico for too long. Hopefully it helps. I agree that having viable transport options beyond the Panama Canal is sorely needed, especially as water becomes more of a scarce resource.
As far as train projects go (and for the moment concentrating solely on economics, not environmental issues) this seems a far more logical choice than Tren Maya in Yucatán, Chiapas, etc. For Mexico to complete two massive train projects by September 2024 seems an impossibility. But commerce rather than tourism and the 'promise' of jobs should have taken front and center stage. Imho. As stated, the Panama Canal is in dire shape. An exit strategy is needed.
Agreed, Jeanine - the isthmus project makes a lot more sense than Tren Maya. Recognizing the importance of tourism to Mexico's economy - and that Tren Maya largely is about making tourists more mobile - I'm not sure it is going to attract more tourism, rather than just giving the tourists who are going to the peninsula anyway more things to do and see.
As an option is good, but not the best to take Panama out of the picture unless there is no more water in the Lake, Can some one do the Math. How long does it take a ship to pass through Panama with 15000 containers and how long will it take the train to transport the same amount of containers? How about if they build let say 4 rail roads , is that competitive?
I see it as less of a competitive threat, and more of an easing of the strain on the canal. And, I think the world needs more options to move material between oceans than the current one-man show that the Panama Canal represents. Good points though, thanks for the comment!
Yes, hope it helps our neighbors further south in that economically underserved part of Mexico. I think that photo is beautiful too - but I can't take credit for it 😉
That does sound like a win-win and love to hear they are using electric trains (said to be one of the most environmentally friendly transport means). Now just put some solar panels on those puppies! I am most impressed with the speed at which this is to happen. Our local electric rail project is supposed to take about 10 years!
You present us with very interesting information, Mike. The fee for using the Panama canal is one example. I am with Marty on the ecological ramification will be during and after the construction of the railway. Glad it is an electrical one. I also wonder about the safety of animals and migrants. I hope there will be many more jobs and housing.
A win for business and associated jobs for sure.
I'm curious what the ecological impact of this project was/is. As I'm sure you are aware Mike, some of the largest intact old growth sub-tropical rainforests and healthy riparian river systems on Earth are not too far from the isthmus.
Yes, good point. The isthmus rail line is not new - there has been rail across the isthmus since the early 1900s, and before that there was a horse and wagon trail. The rail lines were just not heavily used, because there wasn't adequate port infrastructure on either end. This project is upgrading the rail lines for sure - in addition to putting in port infrastructure. So the impact had largely occurred (not that this is any reason to dismiss that impact). Certainly the Mayan Train project in the Yucatan has been rightly criticized for encroaching on rainforest and natural habitats, and that project is largely new rail lines where none existed before.
Thanks for the additional information. Effective use of an existing rail corridor!
That's great news. More choices, more work, and a way to get emergency goods through when the Panama Canal isn't an option for the faster transport times sometimes urgently needed. I didn't know about this and am happy to hear it, as I did know about the issues in Panama.
This project is supposed to bring a lot of jobs to a region that has been on the bottom of the economic scale in Mexico for too long. Hopefully it helps. I agree that having viable transport options beyond the Panama Canal is sorely needed, especially as water becomes more of a scarce resource.
As far as train projects go (and for the moment concentrating solely on economics, not environmental issues) this seems a far more logical choice than Tren Maya in Yucatán, Chiapas, etc. For Mexico to complete two massive train projects by September 2024 seems an impossibility. But commerce rather than tourism and the 'promise' of jobs should have taken front and center stage. Imho. As stated, the Panama Canal is in dire shape. An exit strategy is needed.
Agreed, Jeanine - the isthmus project makes a lot more sense than Tren Maya. Recognizing the importance of tourism to Mexico's economy - and that Tren Maya largely is about making tourists more mobile - I'm not sure it is going to attract more tourism, rather than just giving the tourists who are going to the peninsula anyway more things to do and see.
As an option is good, but not the best to take Panama out of the picture unless there is no more water in the Lake, Can some one do the Math. How long does it take a ship to pass through Panama with 15000 containers and how long will it take the train to transport the same amount of containers? How about if they build let say 4 rail roads , is that competitive?
I see it as less of a competitive threat, and more of an easing of the strain on the canal. And, I think the world needs more options to move material between oceans than the current one-man show that the Panama Canal represents. Good points though, thanks for the comment!
That's great news, Mike. Thanks for keeping on top of things. Hopefully this will help the economic situation in those parts of Mexico.
And a beautiful photo of the ships at the top.
Yes, hope it helps our neighbors further south in that economically underserved part of Mexico. I think that photo is beautiful too - but I can't take credit for it 😉
That does sound like a win-win and love to hear they are using electric trains (said to be one of the most environmentally friendly transport means). Now just put some solar panels on those puppies! I am most impressed with the speed at which this is to happen. Our local electric rail project is supposed to take about 10 years!
Yes, electric is a great bonus. The solar panels are probably a bit off in the future though 😉.
You present us with very interesting information, Mike. The fee for using the Panama canal is one example. I am with Marty on the ecological ramification will be during and after the construction of the railway. Glad it is an electrical one. I also wonder about the safety of animals and migrants. I hope there will be many more jobs and housing.
See my response to Marty on the ecological impact. I hope it brings more jobs and (better) housing - I think jobs is almost a certainty.