The governments of Chile and Argentina are actively pursuing plans to build a Trans-Andean Rail tunnel to connect the Pacific and Atlantic ports of the respective countries. When completed, the rail line is expected to increase trade between the countries tenfold.

The current rail line between the countries is shut down for an average 45 days per year due to weather and technical problems.

Companies involved include Argentinian firms Corporación América (CASA) and José Cartellone Construcciones Civiles, Chilean group Urenda’s Empresas Navieras, Spanish group Comsa, Italian consultancy Geodata, Austrian engineering firm Geoconsult and Brazilian company Odebrecht.

The project is currently in study phase.