Chile expands railway infrastructure and services

Chile is advancing several railway infrastructure projects aimed at improving regional connectivity and logistics. In the Valparaíso region, two new trains are being introduced for the Limache-Puerto metro service. Regional Governor Rodrigo Mundaca emphasized the importance of rail for sustainability and logistics, noting plans to extend the rail line from Llay Llay to Los Andes to transform the area into a major cargo and transfer hub. He also highlighted the potential for a bioceanic corridor connecting Mercosur countries to the Pacific.

In the La Araucanía region, work is underway on the Temuco-Gorbea railway extension. This $37.7 million project is currently in its first phase, focusing on infrastructure replacement such as track renewal and the installation of perimeter fencing. Once completed, the upgrades will allow passenger trains to increase speeds from 50 km/h to 130 km/h. The project is expected to serve approximately 4 million passengers annually, with passenger operations projected to resume in the second half of 2027. New trains manufactured in China are expected to arrive in Chile this August to begin testing.