PLANS to restore a rail connection across the Andes between Argentina and Chile have been revived after a private consortium renewed efforts to develop a tunnel linking Mendoza with Chile's Valparaíso region.
The proposal, promoted by the Bioceanic Aconcagua Corridor (CBA) consortium, centres on the construction of a 52km base tunnel between Uspallata in Argentina and Los Andes in Chile.
Project promoters estimate the scheme would require investment of approximately $US 4bn and could eventually handle up to 13 million tonnes of freight annually. Supporters argue the railway would provide a year-round alternative to the heavily congested Cristo Redentor highway crossing, one of the principal trade routes between the two countries.
The proposal has gained renewed attention following discussions involving business groups and regional authorities in Mendoza, although officials from Argentina's national government have stressed that no formal approval process is underway.
The project would effectively create a modern successor to the historic 1000mm-gauge Trans-Andean Railway, which closed more than 40 years ago. As reported by IRJ in January, interest in restoring a rail connection across the Andes has increased amid growing demand for improved freight links between Atlantic and Pacific ports and expanding mining activity in western Argentina.
According to the consortium, the tunnel would strengthen logistics connections between Mercosur countries and Pacific export gateways while reducing delays caused by weather-related road closures. The route could also support passenger services.
Who is behind the consortium?
The Bioceanic Aconcagua Corridor consortium traces its origins to earlier private-sector initiatives to develop a new trans-Andean railway and has historically been linked to infrastructure interests associated with Argentine businessman Eduardo Eurnekian. Engineering and feasibility studies have been conducted in the past for the project, which failed to obtain the necessary financing for construction.
The renewed proposal comes as Argentina seeks to attract private investment into major infrastructure projects under the economic reform programme of president, Javier Milei. However, government officials cited by local media have emphasised that the railway remains a private initiative and would require extensive technical, financial and environmental evaluation before any construction could proceed.
Comparative projects include the 57km Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, currently the world’s longest rail tunnel, which cost SFr 12.2bn, two-times its initial projection, and took 17 years to build. The 64km Brenner Base Tunnel, currently under construction between Austria and Italy, has an estimated cost of €10.5bn.
