Montevideo tramway moves a step closer

On 5 June the Ministry of Transport and Public Works of Uruguay approved a 30-year private initiative proposal with the 3 Eses consortium to carry out a feasibility study for a 35km tramline from central Montevideo (Independence Square) along Avenida 18 de Julio to its eastern suburbs and Ciudad de la Costa. 

 

Two P+R sites would be included. If the final project is approved investment of UDSD 500M will be needed to build the line. Stadler Rail Valencia is part of the consortium and would supply low-floor trams. Other consortium members are local companies Stilder and Sachem. The aim is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by the transport sector, reduce congestion and speed up journey times compared with the current diesel bus system. 

 

Montevideo (population 1.4M ) had a first generation tramway from 1868 until 1956, with a heritage tramway running from 1967 to 1974. Trolleybuses were operated from 1951 to 1992. Studies for a new tramway started in 1994.