Trenes Argentinos Infraestructura has awarded upgrade contracts for three projects on two Buenos Aires lines as part of the 21 projects tendered over the past year under the Railway Emergency plan.
The first three projects will be implemented on Roca and Sarmiento railway lines and involve the upgrading of infrastructure at Morón station on the Sarmiento Line, the completion of the main roof over the platforms at Plaza Constitución station, and the reinforcement of the retaining wall supporting the track embankment at Kosteki & Santillán station on the Roca Line.
Regarding Morón station, the works will include the demolition and reconstruction of the platforms, which are currently in a deteriorated state. In addition, there is a significant gap between the platform and the train that could pose a safety risk to passengers, thus requiring urgent attention.
The contract was awarded to the sole bidder, OCSA and worth USD 18.6 million (Pesos 4.4 billion).
As for the roofs at Constitución station, works will complete the covering of Nave 2, which shelters platforms 5, 6, 7, and 8. This will involve removing existing temporary sheets and enclosures, restoring, and enhancing the main and secondary structures of the roof, which are currently exposed.
Two bids were submitted for this project, with the winning offer coming from Centro Construcciones, based on their basic proposal of USD 21.8 million (Pesos 5.2 billion).
The planned works at Kosteki & Santillán station include re-levelling platform 4 and reinforcing the retaining walls of the embankment along the same track, both of which are severely deteriorated. For these works four bidders submitted proposals, and the contract was awarded to Drayco with an offer of USD 801,000 (Pesos 190.4 million).
It is worth noting that these projects require immediate attention due to the operational risks they present, and the work aims to enhance the operational safety of the railway service.
The two Buenos Aires lines play a critical role in facilitating daily commutes and overall mobility within the Greater Buenos Aires area. Based on the most recent data available, the Roca Line and the Sarmiento Line are among the busiest commuter rail lines in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
As of October 2024, the Roca Line carried about 10.3 million passengers with 907 daily services, while Sarmiento Line transported 6.7 million passengers during the same period.
The Sarmiento Line runs primarily in an east-west direction, connecting the city centre at Once station with the western suburbs, including important hubs such as Morón and Moreno. It is one of the busiest lines, known for its vital role in daily passenger transport, although it has faced challenges related to infrastructure and service reliability over the years.
The Roca Line is the largest and one of the most extensive in the network, operating mainly towards the south from Plaza Constitución station. It serves a wide range of southern suburbs and cities, including Avellaneda, Quilmes, and La Plata. Over the past decade, the Roca Line has seen significant modernisation efforts, including the electrification of many of its branches to improve service efficiency and capacity.
The Roca and Sarmiento lines are undergoing key infrastructure upgrades as part of Argentina’s Emergency Rail initiative, launched by the National Government. This programme was created to urgently address critical safety, reliability, and service quality issues across the country’s rail network. By investing in these upgrades, the government aims to modernise the ageing infrastructure, enhance passenger safety, and ensure a more efficient and resilient commuter service. The Roca and Sarmiento lines, which serve millions of passengers annually, are central to the initiative’s goal of revitalising the Buenos Aires metropolitan rail system and restoring public trust in rail transport as a safe, reliable means of daily travel.
The Emergency Railway plan of Argentina was launched to urgently address the critical condition of the country’s railway infrastructure. Triggered by a series of incidents and long-standing deterioration, the plan focuses on restoring safety, reliability, and service quality across the national and metropolitan rail networks.
It includes fast-tracked tenders, infrastructure renewals such as platform and track repairs, upgrades to stations and signalling systems, and structural improvements to critical assets like bridges and embankments.
Particularly in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, lines like the Roca and Sarmiento are key priorities due to their high passenger volumes. The Emergency Railway plan is seen not only as a response to immediate risks but also as a first step towards the long-term modernisation and revitalisation of Argentina’s railways, aiming to rebuild public confidence in rail transport.
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