SUNDOG
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Megaport picks up momentum
Megaport picks up momentum
Plans being drawn up, Baja governor says
By Diane Lindquist
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
March 7, 2007
TIJUANA – Baja California officials are drawing up a master plan for the development of the city that will surround the planned Punta Colonet megaport
150 miles south of the border, Gov. Eugenio Elorduy Walther said in an interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The port-rail Colonet complex “will be the most important project that has been constructed in the history of Mexico,” the governor said.
Momentum on the project is now picking up, he said.
A few weeks ago, Mexican President Felipe Calderón took charge of a group overseeing the port-rail development, Elorduy said.
And federal officials struck an agreement last week with Colonet collective farm groups that own property at the port site, assuring them they will be
included in every step of the project.
“The people who have to be involved are being involved in a timely manner,” Elorduy said in an interview here Friday.
Jesús Lara, the organizer of a coalition of Colonet farm groups, confirmed that the ejido leaders met in Mexico City with Manuel Rodríguez Arregui,
the federal government's point man on the project, and agreed to work together.
The ejido farmers were flown to the capital at the state of Baja California's expense, he said, and stayed and dined in first-class establishments.
“We are happy that finally after two years it looks like things are working,” Lara said. “But we are going to keep a very good eye on the agreement.”
Officials in the federal and state governments have been widely criticized for failing to divulge information about plans for the project. Recently, a
state legislative panel announced it could not condone the development because Elorduy has failed to live up to promises to provide full details.
Plans so far call for the port to be as large as the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach combined, occupying nearly 7,000 acres at Punta Colonet.
About 97 percent of the area will be water and 3 percent tidelands.
The port is expected to handle 8 million 20-foot equivalent units or TEUs – the standard measure of container cargo – a year. The containers, mostly
from Asia, would move into the U.S. interior on a 180-mile rail line that will be developed with the port. The line is expected to connect with
existing rail systems at Yuma, Ariz.
Both the port and rail line are to be developed and operated by private investors through a bidding process conducted by the federal government. The
bidding plans have been stalled by a dispute with a group of investors that hold a concession for exploring for minerals in the ocean bottom where the
port is to be located.
In an interview with The Union-Tribune last week, Rodríguez, Mexico's subsecretary of transportation, said the group's claims of mineral deposits are
not valid. He predicted the matter will be resolved soon and the bidding begin.
The state government is developing the master plan for an urban center that could be home to as many as 250,000 residents. It is due to be completed
before the federal bidding process begins.
The master plan is similar to a U.S. zoning document, identifying areas that will be restricted to residential, commercial and industrial uses as well
as sites for schools and parks.
Elorduy also has begun reaching out to those seeking more information about the project. He met early last week with a group of Ensenada's leading
businessmen, telling them the port and rail line are critical to the development of the region and of Mexico.
Elorduy denied in the interview that he is withholding information from the Baja California legislature.
“They have had the information that is publicly known,” he said.
Because of the project's importance, Elorduy said, it must be handled very carefully.
“The need of keeping it proper institutionally means that not anybody can be speaking about the project,” he said.
“Right now we are finalizing the stage in which invited interested parties . . . will be able to ask questions and provide valuable information,”
Elorduy said. “Nothing is written in stone.”
He said information has mainly been provided to companies that are interested in bidding on the project. A feasibility study was conducted last year
by Hutchison Port Holdings, the operator of the Ensenada port, and the Union Pacific railroad.
Hutchison has since bought property at Punta Colonet, and Union Pacific is seeking options on a railroad right-of-way in Yuma.
Elorduy denied that the companies have an upper hand in the bidding because they did the feasibility study for Baja California and allegedly have
close relationships with the governor.
“Absolutely untrue,” he said. “There is nothing that can sustain such an accusation.”
Elorduy said the study, which wasn't made publicly available, is being used as a reference point for discussion on how the project should be
structured.
“When the decision is made, because of the previous work, all the information will be available to everybody,” he said. “It will be so open that
anybody can feel that if they are not satisfied, they have the legal right to make their opinions known.”
Elorduy, a former Mexicali mayor and Ford car dealer in the desert city, is to be replaced in an election in August.
He said his leaving won't affect the Punta Colonet project.
“It will go on because of its importance,” Elorduy said.
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Diane Lindquist: (619) 293-1812; diane.lindquist@uniontrib.com
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David K
Honored Nomad
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On again, off again?
Last report was this project was DOA...
Look for the railroad to go north towards San Vicente the turn east, pass through Valle de Trididad, San Matias Pass, then go east of Mexicali to
cross the border.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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As with most elements of "progress", it's good for some. for others, "not so much". I may soon find myself among the latter. Many here in Yuma
County are totally opposed to any new rail lines here whatsoever. Other cooler heads realize that with UP's power of Emminent Domain and deep
pockets, they can do anything they want and there is nothing anyone here can do about it. So, looking at the inevitable, we are most concerned with
the route. UP is supposedly considering a half-dozen scenarios. Most Yumans would prefer that the line cross the border West of Algodones and tie
into their existing East-West right-of-way, but apparently they do not want to go through California (or buy new land there). Another acceptable
crossing would be East of SLRC on the other side of the Gilas, through the bombing range. But, while car-dealer Elorduy has laid B.C. at their feet,
they have no such agreement with Sonora. The worst route for most, would be through much of the city with lots of street crossings, probably not as
likely as the one that's worst for me.
I am personally acquainted with UP's new Flak-catcher/Point man (a former Congressional Aide). In a recent conversation, he revealed that the route
they are leaning toward crosses what's left of the Colorado South of Algodones and East along County 22nd, on the North end of San Luis below Gadsden.
This would have the advantage of crossing the fewest roads. It would have the distinct disadvantage to me of coming within a couple hundred yards of
my house. Whoopee, I get to listen to trains all night and day while watching my property value sink!
[Edited on 3-8-2007 by Oso]
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
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Registered: 8-20-2003
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Win, Win, Win
Baja will benefit from the income and jobs and the port congestion in the U.S. will be relieved. The future for Baja.
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HotSchott
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Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: Sandy Eggo
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I am guessing the fishing around Colonet won't be quite the same with 8 to 10,000 ships using the port. A new city of 250,000 can't be too good for
the ecosystem either. Catch em while you can...
$$
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jimgrms
Senior Nomad
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Location: oceanside ca
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We can,t properly search the cars crossing the borders now for drugs how are we going to search trains ??
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HotSchott
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: Sandy Eggo
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Really big dogs.
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Phil S
Super Nomad
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Anyone know how this will effect the Long Shoremen in the Long Beach area? Looks to me like another project to destroy a "Big Time Labor Union"
Any Nomads here members of the Longshoremens Union? If so, is this being discussed at Labor Union meetings? Any resolve on the part of the union to
see this won't happen? Hate to think of property values (industry values that is) that most likely will collapse should all the business go to Mexico
with the container industry.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This should delight some folks out there. But at the same time, I'd hate to think what the economy would
be like for the next ten years after the "switch". Maybe time to run over to Yuma and start buying property around the railroad yards!!!!!!!!!!!
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
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Not So Fast.......Not So Great...........Just how many more Walmart stores do we need with the shelves brimming over with cheap plastic horse pucky
that is produced in the Orient???
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
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Mega Marching Onward !
When Progress is inevitable, Relax and enjoy it. OR, at least, try to figure out how to make money off of it.
Since ALL Private-Sector Union Membership in the U.S. is below seven percent of the labor force, I doubt that the Longshoremen have many legal options
or much political influence. They are far outnumbered by the people living along the "Seven" Corridor who would support ANYTHING that would relieve
congestion at the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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According to discussions here among local econ. dev. players. Mayor, etc., ALL cargo moving by rail from Colonet will be containers bound for the East
Coast and 80% will be Walmart. Cargo bound for West Coast distribution will continue to come in through San Pedro/Long Beach/L.A.
A UP rep recently told locals "all agriculture in Yuma lives or dies by the railroad". This is absolute total "horse puckey". The only ag product
that moves by rail is some Summer wheat. Lettuce, brocolli, cabbage, all the other Winter row crops that make Yuma the "Lettuce Capital" is trucked
out. Rail is simply too slow. This is being touted as an economic benefit, but almost all of this rail traffic will not even stop. True a few
landowners will make a pile (and be able to afford relocation), but there will likely be only a few added jobs at UP after construction.
Sorry, but I don't see this as "Win, Win, Win." I see it as "Win, Lose, Draw". Some Mexicans will win some jobs at the port, some politicos & as
always the rich, will win big, as will UP and Walmart. Those of us who will have to live near the noise and pollution and wait at crossings will
lose, as will those who wish Baja would stay the same. The economy of Yuma will be a draw, no more effect than the traffic passing by on I-8.
BTW, As to the "Coyote RR" question, my friend says it won't be a problem, rail already comes across the Texas border and passes through giant
X-ray/infrared detector things...
Also, Yuma had one Walmart when I got here a little over 5 yrs. ago. Now two, the third opens in Foothills (a suburb) this month and a fourth in San
Luis starts construction next month.
[Edited on 3-11-2007 by Oso]
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
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Luddites
The number of people throughout History who "wished" for things to remain the same totals in the Millions and the number of places they wished to
preserve ranks in the Thousands.
What ALL have in common is their failure to realize their hopes and dreams.
Accept or move on until there is nowhere left to move.
Economic benefit to those capable of driving change will ALWAYS triumph.
Life just isn't fair.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Resignation to the inevitable doesn't mean we have to like it.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
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Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Oso, I agree with you if we don't like the big and bigger building and all for the dollar quest we should voice it. Long Beach has nothing to worry
about as it has more than it can handle now, so this on and off again Mega Port will take the rest it seems. So, I guess everyone wins and then
everyone loses can't beat that. Later, Bajafun777 | Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
Resignation to the inevitable doesn't mean we have to like it. |
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
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Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Phil S
Anyone know how this will effect the Long Shoremen in the Long Beach area? |
There is a "rumor" that sais that a mining group is beeing funded by someone with interests in Long Beach, apparently there would be some $$$
repercutions
| Quote: | Originally posted by SUNDOG
The bidding plans have been stalled by a dispute with a group of investors that hold a concession for exploring for minerals in the ocean bottom where
the port is to be located.
In an interview with The Union-Tribune last week, Rodríguez, Mexico's subsecretary of transportation, said the group's claims of mineral deposits are
not valid. He predicted the matter will be resolved soon and the bidding begin.
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Quien sabe?
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Please, please, if this actually comes to fruition, let that crappy Chinese junk product get moved by rail and not by semi-truck! The traffic through
and around Ensenada is bad NOW -- imagine with all those extra trucks on the Carreterra!! But that is great farm land around Colonet they want to use
up for this port.
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