Colombia Launches Construction of Landmark US$650M Electric Rail Line

Colombia has officially begun construction on the Regiotram de Occidente, a transformative US$650 million rail project that will improve commuter connectivity between Bogotá and the surrounding municipalities in Cundinamarca.

The initial phase of the project involves 39.5 kilometers of track and is being hailed as a major milestone in Colombia’s transit infrastructure. It also marks the nation’s first railway system powered entirely by electricity.

Chinese consortium Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CECC) will lead the project’s operations, which kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Cundinamarca governor Jorge Emilio Rey.

“The initial works focus on removing old rails, preparing platforms, demolishing metal bridges, installing a new rail line and upgrading the drainage system,” Rey said during the ceremony.

Construction of an elevated station is scheduled to begin in July. In total, the Regiotram project includes two railway lines and 17 stations. Once completed, 16 electric trains will transport an estimated 130,000 passengers daily—or about 40 million passengers per year.

Operations for the first phase, linking Facatativá and Fontibón in Bogotá, are scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2027. The second phase, which will extend service into downtown Bogotá, is expected to be completed by 2029.

The central government is funding 70% of the project, with the remaining 30% provided by the Cundinamarca regional government.

Governor Rey also announced the arrival of construction equipment from China. “Fifteen specialized machines for installing the new rail infrastructure are on the way,” he said.

CECC has committed to accelerating the pace of construction to ensure timely delivery. “We are focused on moving forward with construction as swiftly as possible,” representatives from the consortium affirmed.

The Regiotram de Occidente is widely seen as a key solution to ease chronic traffic congestion in Bogotá and its surrounding municipalities while promoting a sustainable, electrified mode of transportation for the future.

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Originally reported by Bnamericas.