A consortium formed by VINCI Construction, through its rail subsidiary ETF, and Colas Rail has been awarded a €100 million contract to build the second stretch of the Alameda–Melipilla railway line. The project, commissioned by EFE (Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Estado), aims to connect Chile’s capital Santiago with the country’s southwest, enhancing both suburban passenger and freight transport.
The contract, divided equally between ETF and Colas Rail, includes a three-year construction program covering:
- Dismantling of the existing track
- Supply of rail materials (tracks, sleepers, ballast, overhead lines)
- Construction and commissioning of a 21.5 km suburban line
The new infrastructure will feature three tracks with overhead electrification — two dedicated to passenger services and one for freight. Once complete, the line is expected to serve 57 million passengers annually, reducing journey times by nearly one hour.
“ETF has been operating in Chile since building Santiago’s first metro line. With more than 40 years of experience, this new suburban project strengthens our commitment to low-carbon transport in Chile,” said Fabrice Guégan, CEO of ETF.
“After securing the Santiago metro maintenance contract earlier this year, this project confirms Colas Rail’s position as a key partner in Chile’s future rail development,” added Hervé Le Joliff, CEO of Colas Rail.
