Caracas Metro
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The Caracas Metro is a mass-transit system serving Caracas, Venezuela. It currently has three subway lines in operation:
- Line 1: Petare – Propatria, east to west direction (20.4 km, 22 stations)
- Line 2: Capitolio – 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 section 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. An extension of Line 2 to the city of Los Teques is also under construction.
Construction and operation of the system has been the responsibility of the Compañía Anónima 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.
Caracas_Metro_Estación.gif
El 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 nearly one million passengers daily. The Metro's beautifully designed and clean stations have become architectural landmarks in a city that has deteriorated considerably in the last decade.
The national railroad agency IAFE is developing an intercity rail network. Construction is currently underway for a rail link between Caracas and the cities of Charallave and Cúa in Miranda State. This line will start at a station in southwest Caracas near the La Rinconada horse racetrack and run 36 km to the south.
Engineering design for an extension of Metro Line 3 to La Rinconada has been completed and construction is expected to begin soon. This extension will guarantee direct passenger connection between the future commuter rail service and the city's metro system.
External link
- Caracas Metro (http://www.metrodecaracas.com.ve/)
- Metro Los Teques (http://www.metrolosteques.com.ve/)
- Instituto Autónomo Ferrocarriles del Estado (http://www.iafe.gov.ve/)
- UrbanRail > America > Venezuela > Metro de Caracas (http://www.urbanrail.net/am/cara/caracas.htm)es:Metro de Caracas