El Salvador is making remarkable efforts in the development of its railway infrastructure with the ongoing design progress of the second phase of the Pacific Train, connecting Acajutla to Sitio del Niño. This ambitious project not only aims to enhance domestic transportation but also seeks to create an interconnected railway corridor linking multiple countries.
El Salvador is committed to the development of railway systems facilitating the movement of both people and goods within the country. The plan also outlines the integration of these systems with neighboring nations in the region.
Romeo Rodríguez, the Minister of Public Works, highlighted the Pacific Train as the cornerstone of this railway initiative, spanning the western region of the country. The project involves an investment of approximately $700 million to implement the entire system.
«We are finalizing the designs [for the Pacific Train]. The first stretch from Sonsonate to Acajutla is ready. We are working on the [second] stretch from Acajutla to Sitio del Niño in Opico. Simultaneously, efforts are underway for the [third stretch] to reach San Salvador,» stated Minister Rodríguez.
The initial phase of the Pacific Train covers a distance of 103 kilometers, and the overarching plan envisions its connection to Guatemala’s train system and Mexico’s Tren Maya, forming a railway corridor stretching from Canada through the United States.
In addition to the Pacific Train, the government is exploring the implementation of a monorail in the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, contributing to passenger transit improvement.
In Central America, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua currently lack cargo or passenger trains, but all three nations are contemplating corridor projects. In contrast, Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala have established railway systems.
The creation of a railway corridor will also facilitate maritime connections, as trains will be strategically located near major ports, streamlining the movement of goods across the Central American isthmus.
This regional plan, projected until 2035, entails a total state investment of approximately $52 billion distributed among Central American nations. El Salvador’s share in this ambitious endeavor involves a projected investment of $10.7 billion until 2035, spanning across 86 projects. Infrastructure interventions aim to significantly reduce the cost of transporting a ton of cargo, from $0.17 per kilometer to $0.05, accompanied by an increase in travel speed from 16 km/h to 60 km/h.
Among the ongoing projects, the Los Chorros megaproject stands out, already contributing to the realization of El Salvador’s comprehensive infrastructure vision.