Officials in talks to build train from Tucson to Mexico border

When complete, Mexico's growing rail system will reach across 3,000 kilometers in 24 states.

1 minute read

April 7, 2026, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Passengers boarding a white Tren Maya train in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

The Tren Maya in Merida, Mexico. | Arlette Lopez / Shutterstock

Officials from Pima County, Arizona, the state, and Mexico are in talks to extend a planned passenger rail route from Nogales, on the Mexican side of the border, to Tucson, connecting the United States to Mexico's 700-mile rail system.

According to reporting by Connor Greenwall for KJZZ, "Discussions occurred at a Pima Association of Governments meeting on January 19 after local authorities were given a presentation by Álvaro Madrigal, director general of the Mexican railroad agency."

While there is no concrete proposal on the table, officials from all sides expressed interest in the project. "If they can do 700-plus miles of track, we've got to be able to figure out how to do 63 from the border up to the Tucson area," said Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz.

Monday, April 6, 2026 in KJZZ

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

A coal power plant in Iowa billows smoke into the air.

Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand

For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.

September 17, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A rendering of the planned bridge over a large river. The bridge has two main support beams that form diamond shaped arches over the bridge.

Alabama scores up to $2.5 billion federal loan for largest infrastructure project in state’s history

The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project aims to ease congestion at Alabama’s worst bottleneck.

3 hours ago - NBC 15

Public land in Idaho. Most of the photo is a green field, with mountains and a forest in the distance.

Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea

If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.

4 hours ago - The Washington Sun

Two construction workers on a wind turbine, with two more in the background against a pink sky.

Despite court ruling, Trump is keeping nearly all wind projects in the US on hold

At least 110 wind energy projects have not heard from the government since a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's freeze on wind turbine clearances was likely illegal.

5 hours ago - Heatmap