By Ashley Karen
The Chilean government awarded environmental approval on January 5 for constructing a 3.2 km double-track tunnel and underground station to benefit Santiago’s Central-Alameda complex as part of the Alameda – Melipilla suburban rail plan.
The 61 route-km Santiago – Melipilla line was closed to passengers in 1987, and its reconstruction is being taken ahead under the national ‘Chile on Rails’ investment schedule.
The US$250m station project contains a double-track terminus construction for Santiago – Melipilla suburban trains in addition to 3 km of underground 1676 mm gauge alignment.
The station will serve an area of 1453 m2 and is said to be 30·5 m beneath the ground. The Estación Central station area is to be redeveloped as part of the work. The station box will be located under the current Central station. Also, it is to be connected by an underground walkway to the adjacent Alameda station on Santiago metro Line 1.
Moreover, EFE intends to construct a surface station called Central 2 on the new alignment; expected to be located about 3·2 km southwest of Alameda, near Plaza El Triángulo.
