Guatemala will open first metro line in mid-2027, says president

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced that an underground metro line will be built in Guatemala City and the first stage will be opened in mid-2027.

“It is a very complex and difficult project, but we're confident that it will be [inaugurated in 2027],” he was reported as saying by outlet Prensa Latina. 

Arévalo said that the World Bank will support the project, but did not provide any further details about possible funding. 

The line will be developed through a PPP scheme that will be overseen by national PPP agency Anadie and the ministry of public finances. 

According to local media, Anadie has already completed the pre-feasibility studies, which indicate that a 6km underground line will be constructed between Ciudad San Cristóbal in Mixco municipality in the west of the capital and El Obelisco in central Guatemala City. It will later be extended to Santa Catarina Pinula in the east. The journey would take approximately 10 minutes, according to Prensa Latina.  

The project, previously estimated to cost 7-8bn quetzales (US$1bn), was promised by Arévalo during his presidential campaign, as part of a plan to reduce the time that residents of the city inhabitants spend in traffic. 

“With efficient massive transportation, we will alleviate congestion,” he said.