Trains for Chile: We begin the train project that will connect Valparaíso with Santiago
The journey will pass through Tiltil and take 1 hour 30 minutes. The project will connect and revitalize communities that until now had no access to this means of transport.
President Gabriel Boric has announced long-awaited news of the start of the Valparaíso-Santiago train project. He was joined by Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz and Public Works Minister Juan Carlos García. The project is a long-held aspiration for many in Chile, which will improve the economy, boost trade and revitalize communities that previously had no access to this means of transport.
The President had committed to the project on June 1, 2022 in his first State of the Nation Address, and it will now be able to move forward.
The project sets out a route that will go via Tiltil. It will also pass through La Calera, and then connect with Limache, Viña del Mar and Valparaíso. It will use part of the existing infrastructure – such as the third freight track – as well as suburban services infrastructure (La Calera-Limache and Quinta Normal-Batuco).
The journey will connect Quinta Normal in Santiago with the El Salto sector of Viña del Mar, and will take 1 hour 30 minutes. It is expected to be operational by 2030. The route will benefit areas such as Tiltil and Llay-Llay, both of which are lagging behind in railway development.
Route
Quinta Normal – Limache section:
This section makes use of the existing railway belt and infrastructure. The project includes improvement works, diversions, crossings, electrification, flyovers and possible fourth tracks for an express service to compete with the current transport services on Route 68.
Limache – El Salto (Viña del Mar) section:
This section plans for a new independent line. It will connect with the EFE Valparaíso (MERVAL) network and other transport services at El Salto. The complete section will be 172 km, and will involve an initial investment of more than US$1.2 billion.
Benefits of the project
- The project will see the revival of passenger rail services between Greater Valparaíso and Greater Santiago.
- It will provide a new transport option for people and freight, as well as a greater level of reliability in travel time, comfort and safety for users, at a cost equivalent to what is paid for the bus.
- It will connect the economy to development, improving the economy, boosting trade and revitalizing communities, who will experience the revaluation of their local economies and increased job opportunities.
- It will change the face of areas like Tiltil and Polpaico, which for decades have been treated like the backyard of the Metropolitan region. This measure will have a direct impact that will concretely improve the life of Llay-Llay, decongesting the highways. It will offer reliability to the people of Limache, who will always have the same transfer times, as they will not depend on the traffic. It will provide better job opportunities to the people of Tiltil, as it will improve connectivity with the big cities.
- It will provide better access to services, trade, education and jobs.
Investment
The total project will have a cost of US$3.82 billion.
To find out more information, visit www.gob.cl/trenesparachile.