The Metro de la 80 light-rail project in Medellín has reached 52% overall construction progress as of June 3 [1].
This infrastructure expansion is critical for the city's western zone, where it aims to reduce travel times and modernize urban transit. The project introduces the San Germán station, which will be the first underground railway station in Colombia [1, 2].
The Metro de Medellín authority and the municipal government of Medellín are overseeing the construction. Once operational, the line is expected to move up to 14,000 passengers per direction per hour [1, 3].
Funding for the project is substantial, with government commitments for 2025 and 2026 totaling approximately 900 billion Colombian pesos [2]. This financial backing supports the technical requirements of the underground segments, and the broader rail network.
Land acquisition has also seen significant progress. Authorities have acquired 1,202 of the 1,306 required properties, representing roughly 90% of the necessary land for the route [4]. This high rate of acquisition is intended to prevent delays in the construction timeline.
The San Germán station is a centerpiece of the development. As a unique structure within the national rail context, it represents a shift toward more complex subterranean engineering to avoid surface-level congestion in the San Germán district [2].
Officials said the project will transform the mobility landscape of the western region by integrating these new transit options into the existing city network [1, 3].
“The project reported a 52% overall advance as of June 3.”
The completion of the Metro de la 80 signals a shift in Colombia's urban transit strategy, moving from surface-level light rail to subterranean engineering. By integrating high-capacity transit into the western zone of Medellín, the city is attempting to solve chronic congestion and provide a scalable model for other Colombian cities seeking to implement underground rail systems.
