A shortage of drains could further delay the construction of Guadalajara’s third Tren Ligero (subway) line, according to Aries Group, which is overseeing part of the project.
Aries said 13 sites along the line’s trajectory lack these fixtures. Unless handled properly, officials predict flooding will damage construction equipment.
The same inspectors also reported that the Alcalde and Catedral stations had insufficient drainage capacity, with the PVC pipes two inches in diameter rather than four inches as required, making them liable to cause flooding.
Poor maintenance has also caused underground trenches and pits to flood during the rainy season, further stalling L3 progress. These chambers are located by the entrance of stations where the escalator begins.
“Many of the trench floods in every underground station are due to the lack of cleanliness in the drainage pipes and pre-existing wall leaks in the stations,” said engineering firm Senermex in a statement.
Reports indicate that drainage has been a pending issue since July 2017 when authorities first requested a resolution. One expert even warned that if Senermex engineers don’t fix the issue soon, it could interfere with electrical operations and endanger passengers.