Caracas Metro

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The Caracas Metro (Spanish: Metro de Caracas) is a mass-transit system serving Caracas, Venezuela. Construction and operation of the system has been the responsibility of the C.A. Metro de Caracas, a government-owned company that was founded in 1977 by José González-Lander who headed the project for more than thirty years since the early planning stages in the 1960s. The Metro, as it is known among city dwellers, has been a source of pride since its opening in 1983. Built mostly underground, it is one of the greatest engineering accomplishments in the country. Sleek trains transport over 1.2 million passengers daily. Metro's beautifully designed and clean stations have become architectural landmarks in a city that has deteriorated considerably in the last decade.

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It currently has three subway lines in operation:

Line 1: Propatria – Palo Verde, east to west direction (20.4 km, 22 stations)
Line 2: El Silencio – Zoológico / Las Adjuntas, downtown to the southwest (17.8 km, 13 stations)
Line 3: Plaza Venezuela – El Valle (4.4 km, 5 stations)

These three lines were built between 1978 and 1994.

Construction of the first phase of Line 4 started in 2001; this line will run parallel to Line 1 to the south, and connect Plaza Venezuela station on Line 1 with Capuchino station on Line 2. It is expected to provide much needed relief to congestion along this segment of Line 1 where most of Metro's ridership is concentrated.

At-Grade Section of Line 1 (June 2004).

Also in 2001 construction was intitiated for an extension of Line 2 to the city of Los Teques which is expected to be completed in 2006. This extension is being built by a subsidiary company called C.A. Metro Los Teques that also has as shareholders the governments of Miranda State and the Municipality of Guaicaipuro (See external links for more information). The second phase of Line 3 is also under construction from the existing El Valle station to La Rinconada near Caracas' venerated horse racetrack.

The Venezuelan national railroad agency IAFE is developing an intercity rail network. Construction is near completion for a commuter rail link between Caracas and the cities of Charallave and Cúa in Miranda State located approximately 40 km to the south. The Caracas terminus station of this line will have pedestrian connection to Line 3's La Rinconada station.

Long range plans contemplate expanding the system with two more lines: (a) Line 5 (15 km long) to Southeast Caracas and, (b) Line 6 (17 km) that would run parallel to Line 1 to the North.

External links

Urban Rails of Venezuela
Caracas Metro \| Los Teques Metro \| Maracaibo Metro \| Valencia Metro

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Caracas Metro

See also

External links