Argentina: Studies are under way for putting in tunnel the Liniers - Once section of the Sarmiento network operated by Trenes de Buenos Aires, to eliminate 70 level crossings. The present alignment would then turned over for development.

Canada: Three extensions have been proposed to Ottawa’s initial light rail route due to open in 2001. From Bayview one would run across the disused CPR Prince of Wales bridge to government offices in Hull, and another to Bank Street in the city centre. In the south, a CPR alignment would be followed to reach the airport.

Chile: Revenue services are due to start this month on a 2·8 km extension of Santiago metro Line 5. Connecting the Line 1 interchange at Baquedano with Line 2 at Santa Ana, the line runs under Plaza de Armas in the city centre.

Czech Republic: Praha metro has put into service on Line C the first of 22 Type M1 five-car trains being built by CKD Dopravní systémy, Siemens and Adtranz.

France: Montpellier has launched a Fr1m study for an 18 km second light rail line. To be built in 2001-04, it would link Jacou in the northeast with St Jean de Vedas in the southwest, connecting with Line 1 in the city centre.

Ireland: Construction of the southern branch of Dublin’s light rail network from St Stephens Green to Sandyford could be accelerated for completion at the end of 2002, coinciding with the opening of the east-west line from Abbey Street to Tallaght. The northern line to the airport would open in mid-2005.

Israel: Over 120 companies have registered interest in the Jerusalem LRT scheme, including Adtranz, Alstom, Bombardier, Breda, CAF, CKD, Fiat, Siemens, Skoda and SNC-Lavalin.

Turkey: Tenders are to be called this month for construction of the first 8 km of the US$120m light rail network in Eskisehir, linking Osmangazi and Anadolu University.

USA: Sacramento Regional Transit has awarded a $38·9m contract to Stacy & Witbeck for construction of the South line LRT extension by September 2003.

Pasadena Metro Blue Line Construction Authority has issued a request for qualification and proposals to build the 1·1 km Chinatown section.

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