Rail Network Expansion in Santiago Metropolitan Region

SYSTRA has been awarded two new rail infrastructure contracts in Chile, supporting the development of direct commuter rail services connecting Santiago with Melipilla and Batuco as part of a wider metropolitan rail expansion.

Supporting new commuter rail corridors
Chile’s national railway company EFE is advancing two suburban rail projects intended to improve access to Santiago from growing urban areas west and north of the capital. The Alameda–Melipilla and Santiago–Batuco rail projects are designed to reduce travel times, increase network capacity, and extend rail-based mobility to more than 1.5 million residents across the Santiago Metropolitan Region.

SYSTRA’s involvement builds on its established collaboration with EFE and construction firm Sacyr, contributing technical design, verification, and supervision services across both projects.

Alameda–Melipilla rail project: track and catenary design
The Alameda–Melipilla Train Project involves the construction of a 61 km rail line serving 11 stations, with an estimated end-to-end journey time of 48 minutes. According to EFE, the line is expected to provide rapid access to Santiago for more than one million residents.

SYSTRA Chile has been contracted to deliver detailed design studies for the track and catenary systems. In addition to the core design work, SYSTRA will carry out track verification activities and provide consulting services following completion of the detailed designs.

The scope includes the integration of temporary track diversions for both track and overhead line systems, as well as comprehensive Building Information Modeling using ISTRAM and Civil 3D software. Interface coordination with Sacyr and EFE is a defined part of the assignment, with technical and economic optimization managed in line with the project’s Interface Management Plan.

Santiago–Batuco rail project: construction supervision
For the Santiago–Batuco Railway Project, SYSTRA’s role focuses on civil works supervision and project management support. The line is designed to connect Santiago to Batuco in 24 minutes, serving eight stations and an estimated population of 590,000.

Under this contract, SYSTRA will contribute to the Technical Works Inspection Service, overseeing compliance with contractual requirements, construction schedules, and applicable technical standards. The scope includes inspection and control of construction activities to ensure timely execution and adherence to regulatory and contractual obligations.

Consortium-based project delivery
The Santiago–Batuco supervision contract is being executed by a consortium led by Applus Ingelog, with SYSTRA and Consultrans as partners. The consortium structure brings together expertise in engineering, project management, and transport consulting to support large-scale rail infrastructure delivery.