Túnel Churubusco-Xochiaca begins operations to prevent flooding in eastern Edomex

Inauguration of the Túnel Churubusco-Xochiaca, a key piece of the Plan Integral Oriente, aims to protect over one million residents of Nezahualcóyotl, Chimalhuacán, La Paz, and Iztapalapa from severe flooding. The project, with a capacity to evacuate 16,000 liters per second, was symbolically started by Governor Delfina Gómez and Conagua director Efraín Morales López on July 17, 2026.

What was built

The infrastructure includes a 5‑meter diameter tunnel, a 2.44‑meter collector, and a pumping station with eight pumps. It channels rainwater to the Churubusco‑Xochiaca regulation lagoon, preventing saturation of the drainage system. Source: Infobae Some media refer to the structure as the Colector Xochiaca or Lumbrera 2, highlighting its role in evacuating water from flooded colonies. Source: La Jornada

Investment and impact

• The total investment exceeded 450 million pesos, contributed by the federal, state, and municipal governments. Source: Heraldo del Estado de México
• Authorities also performed desazolve and expanded storage at the Churubusco-Xochiaca and El Salado lagoons. Source: Infobae
• The project is part of the Plan Integral Oriente, a federal initiative to address infrastructure gaps in the region. Source: Heraldo Nacional

Discrepancies

• One report states the project began "pruebas de bombeo," while others describe a "encendido simbólico" , indicating that while the pumps were tested, the full operation may still be in a commissioning phase. The investment is cited as exactly 450 million pesos by some and "superior a 450 million" by others .