Colombia’s New Government Gives the Green Light to Five Strategic Railway Projects
The Government of Colombia ratified its decision to continue in the structuring phase of five key rail projects to consolidate the national railway system. During the First National Railway Summit 2026, held in Paipa, Boyaca, the president of the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), Ricardo Ayerbe, stated that the decision of President Abelardo de la Espriella‘s […]
The Colombian government has given the go-ahead for five strategic railway projects aimed at reviving rail transport as an alternative for cargo and passenger transportation. These projects were ratified during the First National Railway Summit 2026 held in Paipa, Boyaca, with Ricardo Ayerbe, the president of the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), confirming the continuation of these projects in the structuring phase.
The five corridors under focus are Central, Buenaventura-Palmira, Yumbo-Caimalito-La Felisa, Villavicencio-Puerto Gaitan, and Atlantico-La Guajira.
Each corridor is designed to address specific needs and contribute to the overall railway strategy. For instance, the Central Railway Corridor, extending over 448 kilometers, aims to connect the Bogota-Cundinamarca Metropolitan Region with Caribbean ports. Meanwhile, the Villavicencio-Puerto Gaitan corridor is envisioned to transform connectivity in the high plains and stimulate agro-industrial development in eastern Colombia.
The feasibility study for this project began in March, with the concession award expected in the second half of 2027. The La Guajira-Atlantico corridor, crucial for strengthening the integration of the Caribbean region, saw the bidding documents for pre-feasibility studies published in July, with the pre-feasibility consultancy slated for award in September.
The Buenaventura-Palmira corridor, targeted at consolidating a modern railway system, is expected to handle around 2.7 million tons and 3.8 million passengers annually per year. The Yumbo-Caimalito-La Felisa railway corridor, meanwhile, is in the pre-operational stage, ready for detailed engineering studies and designs following the recent award of consultancy to TPF La Felisa Consortium.
Together, these five corridors represent the government's commitment to reactivating rail transport, reducing dependence on road networks, and fostering intermodality. Despite the lengthy timelines, the ANI's affirmation ensures the continuity of these projects, marking a significant shift towards a more balanced infrastructure portfolio.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
