Trasandino RR project bidding process could begin in Q3

The bidding process to put out to concession the Trasandino rail project could begin in the third quarter, Alberto Diaz, VP of Argentine engineering company Tecnicagua which is behind the project, told BNamericas. The launch is pending project approval by both governments, which could come in about 30 days, said Diaz. If everything goes according to the current estimated timetable, offers could be received by year-end. A number of international firms have expressed interest in the project, he said. The US$200mn-plus project entails restoring the rail line linking Argentine city Mendoza with the town of Los Andes in central Chile, 70km northeast of the capital of Santiago. The Argentine side would have 188km of track, the Chilean side 70km. Regarding financing, Diaz said they continue to work with Argentina's development and foreign trade bank BICE to identify possible financing sources, such as international lending agencies.