THE Colombian government has launched feasibility studies for the proposed 193.5km Villavicencio - Puerto Gaitán line, signing contracts worth Pesos 60.5bn ($US 16m). The project is part of a wider programme to revive the country’s rail freight network.
The proposed railway in the eastern plains region of Meta would link the regional capital Villavicencio with the logistics hub of Puerto Gaitán, with an intermediate section at Puerto López supporting the transport of agricultural commodities and other bulk freight currently moving primarily by road.
The National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) and the Ministry of Transport are overseeing the studies, which cover two lots:
- Lot 1, Villavicencio - Puerto López, has been awarded to the Férreo del Meta HE consortium, with a seven-month execution period, and
- Lot 2, Puerto López - Puerto Gaitán, has been awarded to the Conexión Férrea INT consortium, with a 10-month execution period.
The consultancy contracts have a combined value of Pesos 52.8bn, while a separate Pesos 7.7bn contract for project supervision has been awarded to the Férreo del Llano consortium.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the studies will assess the technical, environmental, legal and financial feasibility of the line, including alignment, engineering requirements, demand forecasts and potential investment structures such as a concession or public-private partnership (PPP).
“This corridor will become a strategic logistics axis that will integrate the Orinoquía region with the rest of the country,” says ANI president, Óscar Torres Yarzagaray.
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