BUENOS AIRES suburban operator Metropolitano has begun a US$13·5m refurbishment at Plaza Constitución, city terminus of its Roca network. Due for completion by the end of this year, work includes restoration of buildings dating from 1885 and 1907, and construction of an underground shopping area covering 9000m2. Air-conditioning is to be installed throughout, and a mezzanine with catering outlets will be built in the main concourse, looking out over new passenger information displays.
Metropolitano will provide two new ticket offices and an information point. The company bid US$1·3m for a concession to manage the station, paying an annual fee to railway property authority Enabief (RG 7.99 p422) in return for development and letting rights.
Metropolitano also made successful bids of US$9·35m for the Sarmiento terminus at Once de Setiembre and US$0·4m for the terminus of its San Martín line at Retiro. Enabief accepted bids of US$2·15m and US$0·4m for the Mitre and Belgrano Norte stations at Retiro, with Metrovías securing Federico Lacroze for US$1m.
