Rail Project to Strengthen Coahuila’s Industrial Connectivity
A new passenger rail project linking Saltillo with Querétaro could strengthen Coahuila’s connection to some of Mexico’s most important industrial and manufacturing corridors, creating new opportunities for investment, services and regional mobility.
The project is expected to be put out to tender this year, according to local business leaders. The proposed route would connect Saltillo with San Luis Potosí, Querétaro and Mexico City to the south, while linking with Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo to the north.
Alfredo López Villarreal, president of Coparmex Coahuila Sureste, described the infrastructure as strategically important for the state’s Southeast Region. He emphasized that improved rail connectivity could bring Coahuila closer to the Bajío, creating a stronger link between three major industrial areas: Coahuila, Nuevo León and the Bajío.
The project could also generate benefits beyond passenger transportation. Local business representatives expect greater mobility for workers, increased tourism activity and additional demand for services and commercial establishments along the route.
Raymundo Díaz Robles, CEO of Capital Analyst, said the railway could also contribute to the transportation of goods and personnel, potentially reducing pressure on Federal Highway 57, one of the main transportation corridors connecting northern and central Mexico. He estimated that the project could generate between US$28 million and US$56 million in annual economic activity through direct and indirect consumption along the route.
The Saltillo-Querétaro connection would also complement other railway projects currently being developed in northern Mexico. The federal government is advancing the Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo passenger rail line, with construction already underway and plans for stations, rail infrastructure and maintenance facilities.
At the same time, federal infrastructure plans have advanced the Querétaro-San Luis Potosí and San Luis Potosí-Saltillo sections of the broader railway network. Current government project records show multiple sections entering the bidding process during September and October 2026.
For Coahuila, the expansion of rail infrastructure could provide an additional competitive advantage as companies continue to prioritize efficient connections between manufacturing centers, suppliers and export markets.
The development of a broader north-central railway network could therefore reinforce Coahuila’s position within Mexico’s industrial landscape while improving connections between the country’s major manufacturing clusters.
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