The Ministry of Public Works has announced the progress of the tender for the comprehensive study for the development of the Valparaíso Santiago train project in Chile.

The Valparaíso Santiago train project, with an investment projection of US$1,320 million, comprises two stages.

• In Stage A, spanning 172 km from Quinta Normal to El Salto in the Valparaíso Region, the existing road between Quinta Normal and Limache will be utilized, incorporating significant enhancements in service standards from Batuco to Limache. This involves electrification of the network, construction of uneven crossings, and detours for crossings. From Limache to El Salto, a parallel road will be established alongside the current Merval route. The estimated round trip duration for this stage is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Stage B entails the creation of a new access point to Valparaíso and the construction of a tunnel in La Dormida, extending the network by 45 kilometers (including an 18-kilometer tunnel). The anticipated investment for Stage B is US$2.5 billion, and the travel time between Valparaíso and Santiago is estimated to be between 45 and 50 minutes.

Firms expressing interest must satisfy specific criteria, including a track record of providing consulting services for a minimum of three passenger railway projects in recent years. The tender's closure and the contract award are scheduled for Q1 of 2024. The ongoing tender for studies is expected to conclude by the end of 2025. Subsequently, detailed engineering, environmental studies, and an international tender will follow. Stage A construction is projected to commence in 2028, with completion expected in 2030.