Spanish firm makes feasibility studies for metro routes

A Spanish firm will help HCM City make feasibility studies for the construction of two metro routes, according to contracts signed between the two parties in HCM City on April 3 with the presence of the city’s People’s Committee Standing Vice Chairman Nguyen Thanh Tai and Spanish Commercial Counselor Alberto Cerdan.

According to the signed contracts, Idom Ingenieria Consultoria S.A. will make feasibility studies for the projects to build metro routes No. 5 and No. 6 in 12 months at a total cost of 1.26 million euros (around US$1.7 million) to be funded by the Spanish government.

Vice Chairman Tai thanked the past support of the Spanish Government and people for the city, saying the signing is a start for the development of the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

HCM City authorities have paid special attention to infrastructure development, especially transport infrastructure, to improve the city’s transportation system, reduce traffic congestions and boost socio-economic development, Tai said.

He pledged to create favorable conditions for Idom during the implementation of the projects.

The metro route No. 5 is of 20 kilometers in length, linking Can Giuoc Coach Station in District 8 to Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2, and has daily transport capacity of 352,000 passengers.

The six-km long metro route No. 6 starts at Ba Queo in Tan Binh District and ends at Phu Lam in District 6 and is able to carry 100,000 people a day.

(Translated by MT – April 3, 2009)