Argentine Transport Minister Alexis Guerrera and Trenes Argentinos Infraestructura President Martin Marinucci signed three memorandums of understanding with Chinese representatives on the three main railway projects of Argentina's railway modernization program. An agreement was signed with CRRC Quartet Argentina, Zhao Jinqiang, and China Railway's representative in South America, Yi Han, covering the development and modernization of the Norte Belgrano, Sarmiento and Urquiza lines.

The projects for the three lines include the electrification of the Belgrano Nord line and several parts of the Sarmiento line, part of the Buenos Aires rail network and the renewal of the Urquiza line. The projects will "continue to expand services, deploy modern technology and introduce new regional trains. We will be able to speed up the process of promoting rail, which is a great mode of transport," said Alexis Guerrera.

Under the agreement, China Railway International Group (CRIG) will be responsible for the modernization of the Sarmiento railway, including the restoration of two tracks, the construction of interchange facilities to the metro system, the electrification of the Caballito–VillaLuro section, and the signalling. For the Moreno section, the Chinese company will install fiber optics with teleoperation capabilities and a new train control center and a central workshop in Haedo in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. For the modernization and electrification of the Belgrano Norte railway, CRIG will have to analyse the retrofit of the 94km Retiro-Villa Rosa track, the installation of signals and telecommunications along the line and at the stations, as well as the construction of crossings at different levels as the procurement of new rolling stock.

Keywords: engineering construction, engineering news

CRRC Qingdao Sifang will be responsible for the modernization of the Urquisa general railway line. The company will carry out refurbishment works within a 60-kilometer area between Federico Lacroze and General Lemos, install electrical, signalling and telecommunication systems, and will also be involved in the procurement of rolling stock. In addition, CRRC International will analyze a fleet of 266 railcars procured, of which 111 are for the Belgrano Sur line, 45 for the Sarmiento line, 20 for the Trendela Costa (on the Miter line) and 90 for the suburban service The Argentine Railway Modernization Program includes the modernization of the Miter, Belgrano Norte, Roca and LaPlata lines, the renovation and expansion of the Belgrano Sur line, the construction of 27 new underpasses and 11 new level crossings in 25 cities, the renovation of 112 stations and regional services extend.Editor/XingWentao