The Government of Chile has announced the start of construction works for the new Line 7 of the Santiago Metro. The 26-kilometer long metro rail line will have 19 stations and connect seven communes of Renca, Cerro Navia, Quinta Normal, Santiago, Providencia, Vitacura and Las Condes.

Prefabricated concrete linings works began at the voussoir factory in the commune of Renca, which will allow the operation of the tunnel boring machine for a 6.6-kilometer-long tunnel. Excavation works between Renca and Vitacura are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2022 parallel to the engineering development stages of the trains and systems.

The estimated investment value for the project is USD2.52 billion. Once complete, the metro line will benefit 1.36 million inhabitants of the city and reduce travel time to 37 minutes. China Railway Group will be responsible for the execution works for line 7 while Alstom will provide 37 rolling stocks and operational works for the project.