Systra bags Civil Works Design Contract for Santiago Metro Line 8

Santiago, Chile (Metro Rail Today): Global transport engineering leader SYSTRA has been awarded a major contract for the development of Line 8 of the Santiago Metro, reinforcing its long-standing contribution to Chile's growing urban transit infrastructure.

Through its specialist tunneling division, SYSTRA Subterra, the company will carry out the detailed civil works design for shafts and tunnels on Section 2 of the new metro line, which stretches 4.3 km from Chile España station to Los Leones. The contract includes critical assignments such as:

• Design and planning of shafts for tunnel construction and ventilation

• Development of connecting galleries between tunnel segments

• Detailed engineering for tunnel excavation and construction

• Complementary civil works to support safe and efficient metro operations

Strengthening Santiago’s Sustainable Transport Network

Line 8 of the Santiago Metro will span 19 kilometers, fully underground, and will connect six municipalities between the northeast and southeast of Santiago. Once operational, it will benefit nearly 2 million residents, reducing travel times by up to 60% and enhancing daily connectivity for millions of commuters.

This new assignment marks another strategic milestone for SYSTRA in Chile. The company is currently active in several infrastructure projects, including railway lines and five major motorway tunnels, showcasing its deep expertise in underground and systems engineering.

“This is a key new project for SYSTRA in Chile, where our underground and systems experts are carrying out several major assignments,” said José Miguel Galera, CEO of SYSTRA Subterra.

Over 50 Years of Metro Development in Santiago

SYSTRA has played a foundational role in Santiago’s metro network since its inception. The company's first studies date back to 1967, and it has since been involved in the design of over 80% of the network’s total length, helping transform Santiago’s urban mobility landscape.

Today, the Santiago Metro serves over 2.5 million passengers daily across seven lines and more than 130 stations. SYSTRA has pioneered multiple innovations within the network, including:

• Pneumatic-tyred trains on lines 1, 2, and 5 for enhanced comfort and speed

• U-shaped viaducts on line 5, a world-first patented by SYSTRA

• Noise and vibration reduction technologies on lines 4 and 5

• 100% automatic train control systems (UTO) for lines 3 and 6

The company continues to support Santiago’s metro authority, Metro S.A., with ongoing projects such as:

• Systems design for the Line 2 extension

• Rolling stock and systems studies for Line 7, set to open in 2026

Key Milestones in SYSTRA’s Santiago Metro Involvement

• 1967: Initial feasibility studies for the metro

• 1975–2019: Commissioning of lines 1 through 6 and launch of fully automated lines

• 2025: New civil works design contract for Line 8

• 2026 (expected): Launch of Line 7

With this latest assignment on Line 8, SYSTRA reaffirms its commitment to building sustainable, efficient, and innovative transit solutions for Chile’s capital city.

The Santiago Metro is a rapid transit system in Santiago, Chile, operated by the state-owned company Metro S.A. It currently consists of seven lines, 143 stations, and 149 kilometers of revenue route, serving a population of over 7 million people. The system is the first rapid transit system in Chile and is known for its clean, convenient, and accessible service.