SEPTEMBER 21 saw the inauguration of the 2·4 km extension of Barcelona metro Line 3 to Canyelles. Serving the populous district of Nou Barris, the extension has intermediate stations at Mundet and Valldaura. The line has been built over the past three years at a cost of €84·1m; the Generalitat de Catalunya contributed two-thirds and the national government the rest.
Under the regional transport plan, Line 3 is to be extended to an interchange with Line 4 at Trinitat Nova by 2010, at a cost of €81·1m. This will also connect with the €33m light metro line from Trinitat Nova to Can Cuiàs, on which work began earlier this year.
H The first of 10 streamlined trainsets being built by CAF for Madrid Metro’s Line 8 service to Barajas Airport was rolled out at Canillejas depot last month. Ordered at a cost of Pts6·9bn, the 55m long trainsets have wide gangways between cars, 200 seats and room for 600 standing passengers. The first sets are due to enter service in January, and all should be ready for the opening of the Line 8 extension to Nuevos Ministerios in the city centre, which is scheduled for 2003. As the new units arrive, the existing stock used on Line 8 will be transferred to boost capacity on Line 5.
