January 30, 2006
Venezuela is developing the most important railway project

(ABN) - "José Vicente Rodríguez, President of the State Railway Institute said Venezuela is developing the most important railway plan in the world. He referred to six sections that are currently being built, which will connect the country from north to south and from east to west.

Rodríguez explained that for the stretch Puerto Cabello-La Encrucijada, they are still defining integral systems for embankments, roads, mobile materials and trains, as well as electrical and communications equipment. This section will be 108 km long and will have 14 tunnels, 33 viaducts and seven stations (...)

'We're also working on the stretch Chaguaramos - Las Mercedes - Caicara - Cabruta, where PDVSA will install an oil refinery and the Guayana Corporation has an industry south of the Orinoco River', said Rodríguez. He also said this section will connect with the third bridge over the Orinoco River which is being built since last year.

Regarding railway projects in the south-eastern part of the country, he said there has been a lot of progress in the construction of the 328 km stretch that goes from Ciudad Guayana - Puerto Ordaz - San Félix to Manicuare in Sucre state. He explained there will be a deep water harbour in Manicuare ran by the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces (INEA) and 'these works are being done cautiously so they don't affect the environment'.

Rodríguez also talked about the stretch Maracaibo-Sabana de Mendoza in Zulia state, which will connect with the central part of the country in port La Ceiba.

According to Rodríguez, the technology used in the section La Encrucijada-Puerto Cabello will be completely electrical, while the rest of the railways will have both electrical units and diesel motors. He also explained the trains are aerodynamic and will have reclining seats so passengers are as comfortable as possible during long journeys".