Today, Luis Lacalle, President of Uruguay, along with other authorities, has inaugurated the Ferrocarril Central de Uruguay.
The Grupo Vía Central consortium, led by Sacyr Concesiones, developed this rail corridor connecting Paso de los Toros, in central Uruguay, to the port of Montevideo.
The new line spans 265 km and required the installation of 343 km of new track, as it features multiple sections with more than one track to facilitate the passage of trains. Additionally, 25 stations and passenger stops, 128 concrete bridges and 6 trenches, two of which make a nearly 4 km long rail path. The railway is primarily aimed for cargo load, but is also appropriate for passenger trains and includes a new signalling and rail monitoring system.
This development required an investment of around €915 million. Grupo Vía Central compries Sacyr (40%), two Uruguayan companies, Saceem (27%) y Berkes (6%), and the French NGE (27%).
The project, endorsed by the Ministry for Transportation and Public Works, will boost cargo transportation, with faster, safer and more cost-efficient infrastructure.
The project, awarded in 2019, involved the design, construction, financing, rehabilitation and maintenance of the Ferrorcarril Central for 15 years.
3,500 people were directly involved at the height of the project, with 90% of the workers being locally sourced. Construction used the latest available technologies such as track welding, anti-noise and anti-vibration protection. Over 37,500 tons of tracks were installed, 567,000 concrete sleepers, 12.5 million m3 in earthworks were excavated, and 1 million tons of ballast used.
A critical asset for Uruguay
The Ferrocarril Central will cut down travel times by 50% and will expand the load capacity of trains, from 18 to 22 tons per axis. This new infrastructure will create a positive impact on the growth of local agricultural forestry, and industrial activities.
