Project Snapshot:
Title: Rehabilitation and Improvement of Railway Infrastructure for the La Dorada-Chiriguaná Railway Corridor
Location: Colombia
Project Owner: National Infrastructure Agency (ANI)
Project Sector: Transportation
Project Type: Rail
TAP Cohort: 2025-2026
Envision Verification Status: Not Yet Registered
Academic Support:
University: Rice University
Faculty Lead: David Abraham, PhD, ENV SP
American Planning Association (APA) Regional Sustainability Representative
Urban Land Institute Panel Advisory Services Honorary Association Member
Sr. Fellow, American Leadership Forum Class XXXV
Project Summary:
The La Dorada–Chiriguaná Railway Corridor is a strategic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) led by Colombia’s National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), with the support of the National Development Finance Agency (FDN). This project is key to modernizing freight transport in Colombia, enhancing logistics efficiency, sustainability, and the resilience of the national transportation system. Designed to reduce freight transport costs by up to 20% and to enhance integration with road, river, port, and airport transport modes, it involves the financing, design, rehabilitation, improvement, operation, and maintenance of railway and logistics infrastructure along a 526 km-corridor between the municipalities of La Dorada (Caldas) and Chiriguaná (Cesar), crossing 25 municipalities in five departments. The project demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and social equity through a set of strategic and measurable actions. Key environmental commitments include reducing CO₂ emissions by 37,000 tons annually, implementing a reforestation plan with at least 5,000 trees, and developing climate adaptation measures aimed at preventing flooding along the railway corridor. Additional efforts include local wildlife protection programs, promotion of integrated disaster risk management, efficient use of renewable natural resources, pollution control, and material recycling throughout all phases of the project.
Plan for Envision:
The project team plans to use Envision to strengthen the sustainability of the proposed railway corridor across all phases of development, with particular emphasis on resource allocation, the natural world, and climate and resilience. Pursuing Envision verification will provide a comprehensive framework for assessing and advancing the project’s environmental, social, and economic performance, including its climate adaptation and biodiversity goals. By aligning the project with Envision, the team aims to support long-term resilience, reinforce its broader sustainability commitments, and advance Colombia’s national sustainability strategy.
Academic Engagement:
The La Dorada–Chiriguaná Railway project team partnered with Rice University through a capstone design project to apply Envision to the project’s evolving scope. Following discussions with the project team, the students and faculty advisor, Prof. David Abraham, adapted the focus to align with their planning expertise, concentrating on the connection between the proposed bridge and the commercial area in Puerto Wilches. Students assessed applicable Envision credits and developed design alternatives and supporting documentation focused on public space, social cohesion, local economic activity, sustainable territorial development, and improved connectivity.
“Working on Envision sustainability verification with an international partner in Colombia has enhanced my understanding of the international importance of sustainability.”– David Abraham, PhD, ENV SP, Rice University
Project Updates
