New Freight Rail Line Cuts Transport Time for Coffee and Yerba Mate

Construction began this week on the 215‑kilometre freight rail corridor that will link San Vicente directly to Meridian’s rail hub. The line follows a historic river valley, avoiding the steep grades that have long slowed truck traffic. Federal officials say the route will allow a loaded freight train to reach the capital in under twelve hours, compared with the current twenty‑four‑hour road haul.

Local coffee growers greeted the news with cautious optimism. "If the schedule holds, we could move our beans to the exchange before the next price window," said Mateo Alvarez, a third‑generation cooperative member. Smallholders worry that the promised speed will depend on the timetable for loading facilities that are still being designed.

The Treasury Minister Marcus Eklund announced a ₣ 45 million allocation for the project, with half of the funding coming from the federal infrastructure fund and the remainder pledged by the Tierra Verde Assembly. The Minister added that the line will be ready for commercial service by the end of 2027. Farmers and regional officials are now awaiting the detailed operating plan, which will determine how quickly the new capacity can be put to use.