AZERBAIJAN: Work has begun to complete and fit out long-abandoned tunnels between Khatai and Hazi Aslanov 2 as an extension of Baku metro’s Green Line. The work is being supervised by local firm Azartunelmetrotikinti with Akkord Company, Bouygues and Ukrainian firm Interbudmontazh acting as subcontractors.
The Azeri capital had seen its metro network steadily expand during the Soviet era, but in the years after independence in 1991 construction ground to a halt and several work sites were abandoned for more than a decade. But recent strong economic growth in the country has led to a revival in patronage, leading to a serious capacity shortfall on the 36 km two-line network.
Completion of the tunnelling work will enable operator Baki Metropoliteni to manage its Green and Red lines as separate routes which would meet at Hazi Azlanov in the east of the city. A further interchange in the city centre at 28 May would also be provided once work to join two currently-isolated sections of the Green Line is completed.
A full report on the planned expansion of Baku metro appeared in the March 2009 issue of Metro Report International, available to subscribers via our digital archive.
