Brasilia's US$884mn LRT still on track, says Metro-DF

Brazil's 1.5bn-real (US$884mn) project to build a light rail transit (LRT) system for capital Brasilia is moving along as planned, a spokesperson from federal district transportation company Companhia do Metropolitano do DF (Metro-DF) told BNamericas. In September, the federal district court of justice called for the project's suspension over alleged irregularities in tenders held by Metro-DF. However, the firm followed all the necessary legal procedures, according to the spokesperson. "The project never actually stopped and we are now moving along at an accelerated pace to meet our deadline to be finished in time for the 2014 World Cup," the spokesperson said. Work on the project has been halted at least five times since it first began in 2008, due to issues with financing, tenders and executive projects. PROJECT DETAILS The Brasilia LRT will run 22.6km through 25 stations from the JK international airport to the Asa Norte terminal. It will have 39 trains running at up to 70km/h and is expected to handle up to 12,000 passengers per hour. Contrary to local media reports, that LRT route will not include a stop next to the Mane Garrincha stadium, the spokesperson said. Work is being carried out by consortium Brastram, comprised of French firm Alstom and local companies TCBR, Mendes Junior and Via. The capital's LRT system is set to be the first of its kind in Brazil. A similar project is also underway in Alagoas state capital Maceio.