Plans for Santiago-Valparaíso high-speed train receive boost

A high-speed rail link between Santiago and the port city of Valparaíso is a priority for President Gabriel Boric's administration, which will determine the train's route once passenger demand studies are finalized later this year and tender the project.

“This is a project that’s a priority for the government, so we are making sustained advances to make it viable in its social profitability,” public works minister Juan Carlos García told a lower house committee on Monday. 

The previous government planned to choose between the proposals of Consorcio TVS and Iniciativas Privadas in 2019, but studies were halted because of the pandemic. García said both companies would now finish the studies by mid-year.

García said the current government wanted to boost passenger and freight rail transport as alternatives to highways, especially since car sales far exceed highway development capacity.

Before the Easter holidays, an accident involving a freight truck led to a 12-hour traffic jam on the country’s main highway, route 5. García told legislators that the ministry was aiming to improve management of such emergencies in collaboration with concessionaires.

The government inherited a concession agenda, which includes five highways whose tenders were launched during the previous administration.

They are:

 – Santiago airport road access, third concession (US$32mn): The tender was launched in May 2021. Bids are scheduled to be opened on July 1. It entails the operation of the 10km road access network of the Arturo Merino Benitez international airport.

– Route 5 highway, Chacao-Chonchi stretch (US$452mn): A tender was launched in June 2021 and bid opening is slated for September 30. It involves upgrading a 126km stretch of route 5 between the access of Chacao bridge, which is under construction, and Chonchi municipality on Chiloé island, Los Lagos region. Other aspects are a new bridge, a 1km bypass in Ancud municipality, and the maintenance and operation of a 16km bypass in Castro.

– Route 5 highway, Chillán-Collipulli stretch (US$425mn): Launched in October 2021, the tender comprises upgrading a 169km section of route 5 between Chillán, Ñuble region, and Collipulli, La Araucanía region. Works include widening, bridge replacements and an access bridge for Collipulli. Bids are scheduled to be unveiled on June 3.

– Route 68, second concession (US$1.1bn): The largest project in concessions agenda was launched on December 31, while bid opening is scheduled for December 2. It covers the 109km highway link between Santiago, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, as well as the 20.9km CH-62 and 10.7km CH-60 secondary routes. Works include widening, two new tunnels, bridge replacements, and safety improvements. 

– Santiago Orbital sur (US$447mn): This was the previous government’s last tender. Bid opening is penciled in for July 29. The contract comprises a new 24km corridor between Santiago’s south access and route 78, which links the capital with the port city of San Antonio.