About the project
About 100 kilometres west of Santiago de Chile, the cities of Valparaiso, the biggest port of Chile, Viña del Mar and Limache are part of a densely populated area. Previously, an outdated railway line connected Limache and Valparaiso. This line was transformed into the first regional metro link of Chile. The project comprised:

• Modernization of 44 kilometres track (superstructure, overhead wire, signalling, interlocking and communication systems.)
• Refurbishment and development of 20 stations;
• Reduction of the travelling time from Limache to Valparaiso from 70 to 45 minutes, which will be realized in 2005.
• The existing railway is a barrier in the centre of Viña del Mar. Therefore the metro will be built in a 5 kilometre tunnel.
• Construction of 4 underground stations.

The complexity of the project lied in the fact that the existing lines had to stay in operation during the construction works. The available space for the construction works was in some areas very limited. The high groundwater level made it necessary to use diaphragm walls and lowering of the groundwater table. The new line to the port of Valparaiso is being used for passengers as well as freight transport.

ARCADIS'activities

• architectural designs
• structural designs
• preliminary, detailed design and tender documents for tunnel construction, road diversions and mechanical and electrical installations
• construction supervision
• environmental impact study