THE building of the controversial rail route between Manacor and Arta is to be put out to public tender to the sum of 110 million euros, said regional Transport Minister, Gabriel Vicenç yesterday. He added that he expects the project to be completed in 2012.
The minister was accompanied during the press announcement by head of the Majorcan Railway Service (SFM), Jaume Jaume. Vicenç confirmed that the project will be split up into three phases, the first of which will start this coming February.
He explained, however, that not all works will be included in the 110 million euro budget figure.
Electrification, signposting, and track safety will be paid for separately. The Majorcan Railway Service's Jaume Jaume claimed that the plans for track security are so sophisticated that the amount spent on building the train route will be recuperated within less than ten years because hardly any maintenance will be necessary.
The new rail service is planned to run through the streets of Manacor as tram-style rolling stock but, when the track runs through open country, it will be able to reach speeds of 100 kilometres per hour.
Nearly all of the line will run above ground except for short stretches at Sa Cova and Son Sureda where it will pass through tunnels.
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