Argentina’s Minister of Transport Alexis Guerrera and the President of Trenes Argentinos Infraestructura Martin Marinucci signed three MoUs with the representatives of China for three main rail projects part of Argentina Rail Modernisation Plan.
The agreements were signed with the representatives of CRRC Sifang Argentina, Zhao Jinqiang, and CRIG in South America, Yi Han and cover the development and modernisation of Belgrano Norte, Sarmiento and Urquiza lines.
The projects for the three lines cover the electrification of Belgrano Norte line and several sections on the Sarmiento line, part of Buenos Aires rail network and the renewal of Urquiza line. These projects will “continue to extend services, to deploy modern technology and to introduce new regional trains. We are going to be able to accelerate the process of promoting railways, which is the great transport mode,” Alexis Guerrera said.
Under the agreement, China Railway International Group (CRIG) will be responsible for the modernisation of Sarmiento railway covering the rehabilitation of the two tracks, the construction of a transfer facility to the metro system, electrification and signalling installation on the Caballito – Villa Luro section. On the Once-Moreno section, the Chinese company will install fiber optic with remote operation and a new train control centre and a central workshop will be built in Haedo, in Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
For the modernisation and electrification of Belgrano Norte railway, CRIG will have to analyse the renovation of 94 km of Retiro-Villa Rosa tracks, the installation of signalling and telecommunications along the line and at the stations, the construction of crossings at different levels as well as the procurement of new rolling stock.
CRRC Qingdao Sifang will be responsible for the modernisation of General Urquiza railway line. The company will carry out renovation works on 60 km between Federico Lacroze and General Lemos, will install the electric and signalling and telecommunications systems and will also be involved for rolling stock acquisition.
In addition, CRRC International will analyse the procurement of a total fleet of 266 rail cars of which 111 railcars for Belgrano Sur line, 45 for Sarmiento line, 20 for the Tren de la Costa (on the Miter line) and 90 cars for suburban services.
Argentina Rail Modernisation Plan covers the modernisation of Mitre, Belgrano Norte, Roca and La Plata lines, the renovation and extension of Belgrano Sur line, the construction of 27 new underpasses and 11 new level crossings in 25 municipalities, the renovation of 112 stations and the extension of regional services.
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