Design for Bogotá’s first metro line begins

With the population in the Colombian capital expected to reach 8.3 million by 2020, it was considered a necessity for the Colombian government to invest in new infrastructure.

The design contract for the new metro line has been awarded to Systra and its local partner, after several studies that the Group had conducted on the project since the 1980s. The aim is for the line to be launched by 2023. Regarding the design, the line will be elevated and built on a U-shaped viaduct, which will be 25 km long and consist of 15 stations. The design will also have to take into account the potential for earthquakes in the region.

Public transport in Bogotá currently consists of more than 100 km of bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes. The new metro line will provide direct access to the city centre from the southwest of the city, with the route mainly following the Avenida Caracas, a major transport artery for the capital.

About 650,000 passengers per day are expected to use the line, while it is set to become the basis of a larger metro network. The Colombian authorities hope that by 2030, 80% of Bogotá inhabitants will have easy access to the city transport networks (BRT or metro) in less than 1km from their home.