Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno promised Thursday that construction on a metro system for the Colombian capital city will begin before the end of 2011.
Speaking at an infrastructure and moblity forum in northern Bogota, Moreno said that basic engineering studies were underway. Surveyors are currently determining the required specifications for stations, floors, train cars and communications systems. Moreno added that social and land surveys are also about to begin.
Metro Project Manager Camilo Zea said he was optimistic that the metro will be finished before Moreno’s term ends in 2011.
To date, Colombia can only boast one subway system located in Medellin, the capital of Antioquia. The Medellin Metro, which was built by German and Spanish firms, opened on November 30, 1995. Residents of the city are proud of the metro’s 32 km of tracks, which serve 32 stations – a number which will rise to 34 by 2011.