VENEZUELAN state railway IAFE announced on April 11 that civil works had been completed on 30 km of the 108·8 km Puerto Cabello - La Encrucijada route, now expected to open in 2011. Of the route's 15 tunnels, five totalling 23·7 km have been completed as well as 2·67 km of viaduct.

Also underway is an upgrade of the existing route between Puerto Cabello and Barquisimeto.

Under contracts worth a total of 157bn bolívares placed with Chinese suppliers, IAFE has taken delivery of three five-car DMUs each capable of seating 300 passengers as well as 324 hopper, covered and flat wagons and 12 diesel locomotives.

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