The Metrotranvía Mendoza ( Spanish for Mendoza Light Rail or fast tramway) is a public

light rail Light rail (or light rail transit, abbreviated to LRT) is a form of passenger urban rail transit that uses rolling stock derived from tram technology National Conference of the Transportation Research Board while also having some features from ...

transport system for the city of Mendoza, Argentina, served by articulated light rail cars operating on newly relaid tracks in former- General San Martín Railway mainline right-of-way. The line runs between Mendoza and General Gutierrez in Maipú, on double-track rail. The Metrotranvía of Mendoza serves the metropolitan area of Mendoza, which includes the departments of Las Heras, Central district, Godoy Cruz, Maipú and Luján de Cuyo. Service operates from 6:00 to 22:00. The line has been named the ''Línea Verde'', or Green Line. The line operates on the right-hand side like road traffic, in contrast to the left-handed operation of the majority of the Argentine railway network.

History

In 2009 the Government of Mendoza Province signed an agreement to build a

tram A tram (also known as a streetcar or trolley in Canada and the United States) is an urban rail transit in which Rolling stock, vehicles, whether individual railcars or multiple-unit trains, run on tramway tracks on urban public streets; some ...

line between the cities of Mendoza and Maipú, at an estimated cost of AR$ 62,449,732. Works were carried out by private companies Construcciones Electromecánicas del Oeste S.A. (CEOSA) and SOGESIC S.A. Project included a total refurbishment of Mendoza station, which had operated between 1885 and 1993 when it was closed by the national government. The administrative building was reopened as a

cultural centre A cultural center or cultural centre is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities, government-sponsored, or activist-run. Africa * ...

named "Estación Cultural",Conocé los talleres que ofrece la Estación Cultural de Ciudad
on Sitio Andino, 7 Jul 2021 An inauguration ceremony was held in February 2012,"Mendoza light rail service begins" (December 2012). '' Tramways & Urban Transit'', p. 451. LRTA Publishing. . but service did not begin at that time, as much of the construction work remained to be completed.'' Tramways & Urban Transit'' magazine, May 2012, p. 193. LRTA Publishing. Starting on 29 April 2012 passengers were permitted to ride on occasional demonstration/trial services on a portion of the line. The system finally opened for regular service on 8 October 2012.

2019 extension to Las Heras

In 2019, the main building at Mendoza railway station was completely remodeled, as part of an extension to Las Heras, Mendoza. The rails used for this extension was manufactured in Spain, while the concrete sleepers were built in Argentina.Cómo es el novedoso sistema constructivo del nuevo tramo del Metrotranvía
- Jornada Online, 2 July 2015 This extension included the construction of new

level crossing A level crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road, Trail, path, or (in rare situations) airport runway, at the same level, as opposed to the railway line or the road etc. crossing over or under using an Overpass#Railway, o ...

s, as well as the refurbishment of old railway stations. This extension, bringing the Metrotranvía to Las Heras, Mendoza, opened to the public on 7 May 2019. The Metrotranvía now ends at Avellaneda station, located on Avellaneda Street in Panquehua, a neighborhood in Las Heras.

Future plans

A project currently planned will extend the line 4.8 km (3 mi) from Panquehua to El Plumerillo International Airport, and add another 15 km (9.3 mi) branch from the intermediate Godoy Cruz stop to Luján de Cuyo. As of 2022, the airport extension was expected to open in 2025. Meanwhile, the Luján de Cuyo branch, which is already under construction, was initially planned to open in 2028. However, on 17 January 2024, it was announced that the Luján extension may open in 2027 instead.

Rolling stock

The service was initially provided by eleven Siemens–Duewag U2 light-rail vehicles (LRVs) acquired secondhand from the San Diego Trolley system in

San Diego, California San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...

. The first four (ex-San Diego cars 1028, 1055, 1070, and 1071) arrived in Mendoza in February 2011. More had arrived by November 2011,'' Tramways & Urban Transit'' magazine, January 2012, p. 27. LRTA Publishing. and the delivery was completed with the final two cars arriving on 27 April 2012.'' Tramways & Urban Transit'' magazine, July 2012, p. 272. LRTA Publishing. In 2022, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System sent 39 Siemens SD-100 light rail vehicles.

References

External links