Under the new plans, the 369.1km Panorama - Bauru and 158.6km Colombia - Pradópolis lines will be reopened for the operation of freight services by Curitiba-based logistics company Rumo Logistics.
Other improvements to the state’s rail infrastructure will include:
- track doubling of sections between Itirapina, Boa Vista Velha and Perequê
- a new siding in Catanduva, including around 18km of track and a new rail yard
- construction of a new railway bypass serving the municipalities of Mirassol, São José do Rio Preto and Cedral, which will include the construction of five bridges and 20 viaducts
- closure of redundant maintenance depots in Araraquara and Rio Claro
- expansion and implementation of passing loops between Rubinéia and Itirapina, and
- the construction of footbridges, viaducts and bridges in several cities in São Paulo.
The upgrades are projected to expand the network’s capacity from 35 million to 75 million tonnes of freight per year, and are intended to consolidate the state’s position as the main export corridor for Brazil’s agricultural industry.
“It is the largest expansion of rail transport in the state of São Paulo in the last 50 years and is the first major announcement of the 2021-2022 economy recovery plan,” says São Paulo governor, Mr João Doria.
