[bajabill]

When Baja California builds some serious infrastructure to support it, then it might stand a chance. A seawater port with only a narrow 2 lane highway in and out would be a major bottleneck.

[BajaGringo]

Oh, for sure. And don’t forget it will require an operating rail system to the border, probably even more challenging than widening the highway south from Ensenada.

[gaviota]

I think China has a geopolitical objective here and they just may be trying to get their foot in the west door. Colonet’s close proximity to the border combined with a Chinese firm winning the concession to operate the port would give them leverage to wield greater influence on trade with the US. Just something to consider.

[mikel]

I always had major doubts of the viability of a large port project at Colonet for the same reasons previously stated here on the topic but you are quite right about China. They have been trying for years to stake a large claim down in Mexico and Colonet could provide them the opportunity. The real question is, is it worth 20-30 billion dollars to them? Just pondering that for a moment, my gut says likely so if they could negotiate the right concession contract.

[mikel]

Amazing how you managed to stir up my mind over what I considered to be a decided opinion on the topic. Nice to know I am still open to change at this old age – thanks for the new perspective.

[BajaGringo]

You too? 😜

[BajaGringo]

I had considered that angle with China back in 2008 when the project was first announced but the world between 2008 and 2022 has changed significantly, making the suggestion more likely today IMHO. It will indeed be interesting to watch what happens over the next year…

[trekker]

Do you think that the US would so easily give China such access in their hemisphere?

[BajaGringo]

I doubt the U.S. would like it but the problem is that under AMLO, Mexico has been slowly distancing itself from its northern neighbor who has lost some of the political and economic pull they once had but still has a few tools left to work with, so again – this will be very interesting to see how it all plays out.

[trekker]

Or maybe we’re so politically divided and distracted right now that China might just slip in between all the noise going on in Washington now. China controlling a major seaport less than two hundred miles from San Diego; it’s hard to fathom.

[JuanSoler]

Maybe our northern neighbors would decide that its in their best interests for a 50+ billion dollar bid to get the concession and lock China out, giving the US another foothold in Mexico to boot.

[bajabill]

Okay, I’ll play along. Let’s say I accept the possibility of the Chinese government providing the $$$ behind one or more of any potential bids to come. I still see some major obstacles to getting it done, mainly with the corridor they had previously proposed for the train route, not to mention the nightmares awaiting them in straightening and widening a very narrow and winding Transpeninsular Highway south of Ensenada. After that is done they would still have to finish and widen the alternate route around Ensenada with Blvd 2000 around the Tijuana area going to probably need a couple more lanes as well?

So in the spirit of keeping an open mind, what if instead they put the construction money into building east out of Colonet with the new highway connecting with Highway 3 and later Highway 5 heading north to cross at Mexicali? I think widening along that route would be much easier than Highway 1 and trucks carrying containers would have a lot less traffic to deal with.

The train could closely follow right next to the highway, taking advantage of the same highway construction work and then veer off to cross at Yuma, which I recall was an original place to cross from the 2008 project?

That would also place the tracks right next to Mexico’s existing rails coming up into Sonora from the mainland which I read they are trying to revive as well? That would allow Colonet to service much of the Mexican mainland.

Not saying that I believe this is going to happen but if indeed the Chinese are willing to fork out so much cash, I see this as a much better (and viable) way.

[mx-rider]

That stetch from Colonet to Hwy 3 goes over mountains with difficult access. Looks easy as the bird flies but in reality there’s some very difficult terrain over that ridgeline that extends far north.

[bajabill]

Could be – at the very least somebody should doing an analysis of the costs and troubles to cross that ridge vs. going along the Transpeninsular.