Rio Conducts Line 4 Test of 'Fundamental Importance'

(ATR) Rio State Secretary of Transport Rodrigo Vieira says the latest tests done on the metro line 4 are the first steps to ensure an Aug. 1 opening.

Vieira, along with other construction stakeholders, traveled on the first subway car from the General Osório station in Ipanema to the Jardim Oceânico station in Barra da Tijuca. The trip occurred on May 22 to mark the completion of the installation of the rails for the subway line.

"This moment is of fundamental importance for the special operation of Line 4 subway and marks the connection of rails from Barra da Tijuca to the South Zone," Vieira said in a statement to Around the Rings.

"The schedule is set. In June, we will do the final tests with trains, in order for the opening of this line on Aug. 1."

The train traveled from General Osório station to the Nossa Senhora da Paz, Jardim de Alah, Antero de Quental, and São Conrado/Rocinha stations before crossing the fully constructed bridge in Barra da Tijuca to reach Jardim Oceânico station.

According to Vieira the metro line is now 95 percent complete and the test was done fully on schedule. Currently tests are being done on ventilation and lighting in the newly built subway tunnel, as well as the escalators and elevators in each station. Testing on the power and operation stations have been ongoing since January, and tests on tunnel signaling and power for control equipment remain ongoing.

Metro line 4 is expected to carry over 300,000 people a day when the line is fully operation. Vieira says that at full capacity the metro expansion represents, "the greatest legacy in mobility that city will gain from the 2016 Olympic Games."

During the Olympics only people with Olympic tickets will be able to purchase transportation tickets for the metro expansion. Trains are expected to run in limited capacity, to correspond with when events are taking place in the Olympic Park.

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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