Siemens: mid-year start for Maracaibo metro works - Venezuela

<a href=www.bnamericas.com>Bnamericas Friday, April 04, 2003 16:32 (GMT-0400)

German engineering company Siemens expects to start construction on line 1 of the Maracaibo metro system in western Venezuela's Zulia state by May or June this year, a company official told BNamericas.

The company had expected to commence construction by April, but "infrastructure-related details" have slightly delayed proceedings, the official said, declining to elaborate.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's government has been conducting preliminary works for the line, such as drainage and installation of electrical systems. Siemens has had no problems dealing with the country's government, the official said when asked whether recent political strife has impacted project plans.

The German firm signed a US$150mn contract in early 2001 to build the first 6.4km of line 1. Though Siemens has said it would like to participate in further Maracaibo metro contracts, the government has not published bidding schedules for additional works.

The 12.6km line 1 will take an estimated 2.5 years to build and includes 13 stations.

Line 2 will stretch 12km and should be ready by December 2008, according to state-owned metro company Metromara, which will operate the system. Line 3 will run 19km and is scheduled for a December 2012 finish. The final section, 17km-long line 4, should be ready by 2016.

By Randy Woods BNamericas.com