Systra has been awarded a contract to design an extension of the suburban rail network in Valparaíso for Chile’s national railway company, Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Estado (EFE). This project marks another collaboration between Systra and EFE, a longstanding client of the Group.
Valparaíso, Chile’s largest port and third most populous city, is set to see a major expansion of its rail infrastructure. The existing Valparaíso–Limache train line will double in size, aiming to promote a shift towards public transport, support economic growth, and reduce journey times for over a million residents.
“We are delighted to have been selected for this project, which will make a tangible contribution to improving the lives of local residents. We are proud to be supporting EFE and the transformation of transport in Chile, a country with a long history for Systra. The outlook for the country is promising, and we have the key references to support the development of our business there,” said the Managing Director of Systra’s Hispanic America Cluster.
The extension will include three tracks built on an existing railway right-of-way, reusing the old La Calera station. The stations will be designed for accessibility, ensuring ease of use for passengers with reduced mobility, while solar panels will be installed to generate photovoltaic energy. The entire project will be developed using Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology.
The project is a joint venture between Systra Chile and the Italian engineering firm Consultores de Ingeniería (CDI), which specialises in civil engineering. Experts from Systra’s global network will contribute to various aspects, including engineering, civil works, and rail systems. Previously, Systra conducted extensive acoustic testing along the line to ensure community acceptance.
“It’s a project that will have a positive impact on passenger safety, reduce congestion, cut pollutant emissions, and shorten commuting times, as well as making transport more accessible,” said Alexandre Alves, Project Director, Systra Chile.
In 2019, Chile launched the ‘Trains for Chile’ initiative, a national plan aimed at tripling annual rail passenger numbers from 50 million to 150 million by 2027, while also increasing rail freight capacity by an additional six billion tonnes.
Systra is actively involved in several of these projects for EFE, including:
- Engineering studies for civil and rail systems on the Santiago-Melipilla line, including a new track to the southwest.
- Similar studies for the creation of the Santiago-Batuco line, extending to the northwest of the capital.
- Development of a new railway maintenance centre in Chillán.
- Technical assistance for the Cerro Chepe tunnel construction, part of the Puente Ferroviario project on the Concepción–San Pedro de la Paz line.
Share on:
