Move Over, L.A…Mega-Port in the Works for Baja

Mexico has announced plans to start the bidding process for the construction and operation of a mega-port and rail line in Baja California before December 2007. The port-rail project, which may cost as much as $9 billion, will be based at Punta Colonet, about 150 miles south of San Diego.
The proposed port at Punta Colonet will be Mexico's largest-to be used for container cargo only. For the U.S., it will serve as an alternative to the congested ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, particularly for cargo shipped from Asia. These two ports are estimated to handle 40% of all cargo entering the U.S. and 80% of all U.S.-bound cargo from Asia.

The concession for building and operating the Punta Colonet port will be paired with that of the rail line. The proposed railway will run from the port up to the U.S./Mexico border east of Mexicali, facilitating shipments both within Mexico and to the U.S.

Punta Colonet is a sparsely inhabited inlet on the Mexican coast, about five miles inland from the small village of Colonet. Here, an agricultural community of about 3,000 consists mostly of ejidos, or communal farms.

All that will change with the port and rail development. According to reports, the mega-port will cover nearly 7,000 acres, making it as large as the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach combined. An entire city of up to 200,000 people will be built to support port operations.

The Mexican government has asked the ejidos for input regarding the project master plan. Many of the ejido members with property in the proposed area are in favor of the project.

Best Regards,

Suzan Haskins
Editor, Mexico Insider
International Living

P.S. If you've ever thought of moving your base of operations south of the border, join us at Puerto Vallarta September 23-25 for the next Live & Prosper in Mexico Seminar. Here our team of experts can give you the scoop on one of the world's most popular retirement and relocation destinations. For more information, contact Events@InternationalLiving.com or call 1-866-381-8446 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada).