Chile: Systra to Design Santiago Rail Expansion, 1.6M Benefit

SANTIAGO, Chile – Global engineering and consulting group Systra has been selected by Chile’s state-owned railway company, Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado (EFE), to provide critical design and consulting services for two major suburban rail projects in the Santiago metropolitan area. The contracts position Systra as a key partner in advancing the Alameda Melipilla and Santiago Batuco lines, which together will extend the capital’s rail network by 87 km and serve an estimated 1.6 million residents.

The appointment marks a significant step forward for Santiago’s public transport expansion. EFE has tasked Systra, in collaboration with Spanish infrastructure giant Sacyr, with delivering detailed design studies for the 61 km Alameda Melipilla line. For the 26 km Santiago Batuco project, Systra will form part of a consortium providing technical works inspection and project management support. These initiatives are central to Chile’s strategy to create fast, modern, and sustainable connections between the capital and its rapidly growing suburbs.

Systra’s role in the Alameda Melipilla project is extensive, covering detailed design for the track and catenary systems. The firm will also conduct a comprehensive infrastructure audit and provide post-design consulting, including the integration of railway systems, management of temporary track diversions, and full Building Information Modeling (BIM) using ISTRAM and Civil 3D. A core responsibility will be managing the technical and economic interfaces with EFE and Sacyr to ensure project optimization. The line will feature 11 stations and slash journey times to 48 minutes. On the Santiago Batuco line, which includes an underground section and eight stations, Systra’s consortium will focus on supervision and quality control, ensuring the USD 950 million project adheres to all contractual obligations, timelines, and regulatory standards.

These projects are foundational elements of Chile’s ambitious “Chile Sobre Rieles” (Chile on Rails) program, a national strategy to revitalize and expand the country’s railway infrastructure. While these engineering and supervision contracts signify a concrete move from planning to execution, the projects themselves are still in the advanced development phase. The awarding of these contracts is a critical milestone that will pave the way for major construction works, although comprehensive public timelines and finalized total costs for the full program are still being solidified. The ultimate goal is to significantly reduce road congestion, decarbonize the transport sector, and drastically improve mobility for citizens in the greater Santiago region.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Contracts Awarded: Systra secures a dual role, leading design on the Alameda Melipilla line and providing project management and inspection on the Santiago Batuco line.
• Major Urban Mobility Boost: The two projects will connect approximately 1.6 million suburban residents to central Santiago with significantly reduced travel times (48 and 24 minutes, respectively).
• Commitment to Digital Engineering: The mandated use of complete BIM modeling underscores a modern approach to infrastructure development, aimed at improving efficiency and long-term asset management.

Editor’s Analysis

This development signals Chile’s firm commitment to placing rail at the heart of its urban development and climate strategy. For the global rail industry, it reinforces Latin America as a key growth market for high-value engineering, design, and project management services. The selection of a European leader like Systra highlights a demand for international expertise in complex urban rail systems, particularly those involving advanced digital tools like BIM. As Santiago moves forward, these projects will likely serve as a technical and operational blueprint for other major cities in the region grappling with similar challenges of urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and the need for sustainable public transport solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the two main rail projects Systra is involved in in Santiago?

Systra has been contracted for the Alameda Melipilla project, a 61 km line with 11 stations, and the Santiago Batuco project, a 26 km line with 8 stations.

What is Systra’s specific role in the Alameda Melipilla project?

For the Alameda Melipilla line, Systra will provide detailed design studies for the track and catenary, conduct an infrastructure audit, manage system integration, and deliver complete BIM modeling.

What is the estimated cost and scope of the Santiago Batuco project?

The Santiago Batuco project has a total estimated value of USD 950 million. It involves a 26 km line with eight stations, including an underground section, and is designed to serve a population of 590,000 inhabitants with a 24-minute journey time.