Meta rail link enters Colombia freight corridor feasibility studies

Colombia freight corridor feasibility studies have moved forward. Also, as reported by Rail Journal, contracts worth Pesos 60.5bn ($US 16m) were signed. The work will assess the proposed 193.5km rail link between Villavicencio and Puerto Gaitán. It is part of a broader effort to restore the country’s freight railway network.

Villavicencio – Puerto Gaitán line and Puerto López section

Meanwhile, the line would run across Meta’s eastern plains. It would link Villavicencio, the regional capital, with the logistics centre at Puerto Gaitán. It would also include an intermediate section at Puerto López. That section is meant to support the movement of agricultural commodities and other bulk freight. Still, that freight now moves mainly by road.

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Study contracts and delivery periods

The National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) and the Ministry of Transport are overseeing the studies. According to ANI, Lot 1 covers Villavicencio – Puerto López. It was awarded to the Férreo del Meta HE consortium. It has a seven-month execution period. At the same time, Lot 2 runs from Puerto López to Puerto Gaitán. It went to the Conexión Férrea INT consortium. It has a 10-month execution period.

The two consultancy contracts together are worth Pesos 52.8bn. In addition, the Férreo del Llano consortium received a separate Pesos 7.7bn contract. It covers project supervision.

Scope of the Colombia freight corridor feasibility studies

According to the Ministry of Transport, the studies will examine the line’s viability. For example, they will cover technical, environmental, legal and financial questions. Separately, the work will cover alignment and engineering requirements. It will also cover demand forecasts. In addition, it will review potential investment structures. These include a concession or a 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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