The ANI awarded the administration of the Pacific railway corridor and is advancing in designs

The national government carried out the Award of this contract to the company Infraestructura Nacional LTDA, for the administration of the Pacific railway corridorwhich, together with the supervision, adds up to a total value of $41.465 million intended for railway reactivation.

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During the first half of this year, in the Pacific railway network, the ANI began the process of reverting the existing railway infrastructure to the Nation and advanced the contracting of the surveillance service in 13 railway stations, as well as in the 498 km that the corridor has, including the Buenaventura-Cartago, Zarzal-La Tebaida, Cartago-La Felisa sections, and the variants
railways to Cartago and Caimalito.

With the award of this new contract, which will last 12 months, they will carry out surveillance, clearing, cleaning and clearing actions of the entire corridor and 13 railway stations; the maintenance of stations, workshops and warehouses; and the administration, conservation and
maintenance of rolling stock.

Likewise, they will carry out maintenance, conservation and works activities such as the installation of ballast, rails and sleepers to fine-tune the prioritized railway infrastructure between Palmira and Buga, over a length of 41 km, fulfilling the commitment made with the
Valle del Cauca Governorate considering the department’s proposal to implement a tourist train in the Valle del Cauca.

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They will also advance the legal defense of the railway corridor infrastructure by filing police complaints for illegal occupation and/or invasion before the competent authorities.

“These actions, together with the advances in structuring to connect Buenaventura, Colombia’s main seaport on the Pacific, to the Central Railway Corridor by rail, are essential to strengthen the country’s competitiveness and integration through more efficient and sustainable transport,” said Francisco Ospina Ramírez, president of the ANI.

Simultaneously with the conservation and maintenance actions of the railway corridor, in December 2022, the ANI and the National Development Finance Company (FDN) signed a contract for $24,997 million to advance the pre-feasibility studies and designs to establish the best alternative to connect the Pacific with the Central railway network, in order to maximize efficiency
of freight and passenger rail transport, guaranteeing a robust and competitive connection in this region.

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Pacific Rail Corridor

ANI

To date, Studies report a 96% progress, with a recommended alternative. Thus, in the last two months of the year, the ANI will hire a consultant for the development of the feasibility stage. This phase will allow the technical, economic and financial aspects of the project to be defined in detail for its bidding.

Within the framework of this railway reactivation plan, the ANI is also advancing on the project to connect Bogotá with the Central railway corridor. This project is 75% complete in the pre-feasibility phase, with an investment of $19.268 million.

Paula Galeano Balaguera
Portfolio Journalist