THE Argentinean government has issued the latest in a series of tenders to upgrade the General Urquiza freight corridor. The 1435mm-gauge line runs north from Buenos Aires serving the provinces of Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Misiones, also connecting Argentina’s rail network with Uruguay and Paraguay.
The call for bids is part of a multi-phase investment programme co-financed by the Structural Convergence Fund (Focem) of the South American Comon Market (Mercosur) and Argentinean Trains Freight (TAC). The process is open to both domestic and international bidders.
Valued at $US 5.7m in total according to the official notice, the tender covers track renewals along 55.6km of the line in Entre Ríos province, divided into four sections:
- Villaguay - Santa Clara (17.8km), $US 770,137
- Las Moscas - Domínguez (14km), $US 1.8m
- Domínguez - Villaguay (11.2km), $US 1.45m, and
- Jubileo - San Salvador (12.6km), $US 1.6m.
Work will include the replacement of rail and sleepers, ballast renewal, track alignment, and upgrades to level crossings.
In total, around 20 tenders for separate work packages are expected under the programme, which aims to double the corridor’s freight capacity and strengthen Argentina’s cross-border rail connections.
Focem’s participation reflects a regional priority to enhance cross-border trade with Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay, supported by investments in capacity improvements and rehabilitation of strategic links, including the Paso de los Libres - Uruguaiana rail bridge between Argentina and Brazil.
