THE first of 26 six-car monorail trains for Panama metro Line 3 has arrived in Panama from Japan where manufacturing is taking place by a consortium of Hitachi, Hitachi Rail STS and Mitsubishi.
The consortium was awarded a $US 883m contract in October 2020. The contract also includes the provision of electrification, signalling and communications and train control systems for the line.
Panama Metro reports that the train has successfully completed factory tests in Japan and will now be subjected to a series of static and dynamic tests over the next few months. The results of these tests will support the production of the remaining fleet.
The 25.4km line will run from Albrook to Ciudad del Futuro. The line is primarily elevated, but also includes a 6km underground section beneath the Panama Canal with a maximum depth of around 64m. Tunnelling work by China Railway Tunnel Group (CRTG) is due to commence in the second quarter of 2024 and will take 22 months to complete. The line is expected to enter operation by the end of 2026.
Construction is being carried out by the HPH Consortium of Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Posco E&C under a $US 2.06bn design, construction and financing contract awarded in February 2020.
A potential second phase to La Chorrera that will extend the line to 34km is also planned.
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