Brazil’s FICO Railway Nears Key Completion Milestone

The Ferrovia de Integração Centro-Oeste (FICO) railway project is progressing steadily. Officials from Brazil’s national land transportation agency (ANTT) expect the project to reach 32% completion by late 2024. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This prediction follows detailed site evaluations conducted during November by representatives from multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Transport and contractor Infra SA.

Key Milestones in Brazil’s FICO Railway Project

ANTT Director General Rafael Vitale led the site inspections. He was joined by delegates from the Investment Partnership Programme, the Federal Court of Auditors, construction concessionaire Vale, and the National Association of Railway Shippers.

Don’t miss…New Railway Through Central Asia: Connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

Progress on the 383-kilometer-long railway project had reached 29.78% in October, a sharp improvement compared to 9.87% recorded in October 2023. Key inspection points included Uruaçu, Mara Rosa, Nova Crixás, and a newly constructed bridge over the Crixás Açu River.

Economic Benefits of Brazil’s FICO Railway

The first phase of the FICO project, called FIOLI, links Água Boa in Mato Grosso with Mara Rosa in Goiás. At Mara Rosa, it connects with the Ferrovia Norte Sul (North-South Railway), ensuring better integration of Brazil’s transport networks. Further down the line, FIOLI will eventually interconnect with the Ferrovia de Integração Oeste-Leste (West-East Railway), providing direct access to the port of Ilhéus on the South Atlantic. This connectivity promises significant economic benefits.

Before completion of its full network, agricultural commodities from the Araguaia Valley will use the Ferrovia Norte Sul to access major ports. These ports include Santos to the south and São Luis to the north. According to Rafael Vitale, the FICO project will “drive a true logistical revolution, vital for Brazil’s economy.” Improved infrastructure will enhance efficiency and competitiveness in export markets.

Progress has been made on land acquisition along the railway’s planned route. To date, 244 kilometers of land have been expropriated, and negotiations are underway for 278 additional sites. Compensation agreements with landowners are advancing, ensuring legal transparency and community cooperation. The project’s developers have also prioritized preserving Brazil’s heritage. Archaeological surveys identified 33 historical sites, with preservation measures implemented for 23 of them.

So far, construction teams have received approximately 8,000 tonnes of steel rails, essential for laying the track. Over 6,000 workers are actively engaged at various sites, accelerating progress along the alignment. Environmental sustainability remains a focal point of the project. ANTT’s statement highlighted the implementation of 23 socio-environmental programs designed to mitigate construction’s ecological impacts.

Final certification and authorization for the project’s remaining phases are expected by late 2025. The first phase is projected for completion by April 2028, with future extensions planned westward. These extensions aim to connect FICO to key agricultural hubs like Lucas do Rio Verde and Vilhena, strengthening Brazil’s overall freight transportation capacity.

Source, photo: www.railwaygazette.com

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…2025 Rail Cyber Security Awards