CDMX builds tunnel and storm tanks to fight eastern floods

The Government of Mexico City has begun a major hydraulic infrastructure project to combat recurrent floods in the eastern borough of Iztapalapa, particularly along Calzada Ignacio Zaragoza and Santa Martha Acatitla. The total investment is 1.8 billion pesos, with 1.5 billion allocated to drainage infrastructure and 300 million to water management projects. Source: Infobae

What is being built

• Collector República Federal: A 1.2‑km tunnel under Calzada Ignacio Zaragoza and the Metro Line A, dug by a tunnelling machine at a depth of six metres. It can capture 6,000 litres of stormwater per second and channel it to the El Salado regulating reservoir. Source: Excélsior (perforarán túnel)
• Storm‑water tank network: Nine underground tanks (initially eight) along 380 metres of Zaragoza's lateral road, capable of storing 4,200 cubic metres of water. This network is designed to regulate an additional 4,500 L/s and reduce flooding near Peñón Viejo station. Source: Excélsior (aceleran obras)

Timelines and impact

Both works are scheduled for completion in 2025: the storm‑tank network by 14 August and the collector by October. However, the storm tanks were originally due in June but faced a one‑month delay because of the early rainy season. Source: Excélsior (aceleran obras) The project will directly benefit 32,700 inhabitants of Santa Martha Acatitla and improve traffic for , with indirect benefits for 1.8 million commuters from the State of Mexico. Authorities assure that neither Metro Line A nor vehicular circulation will be interrupted during construction.