Bogotá's Traffic Woes Alleviated as China Assists in Metro Construction

Bogotá, Colombia, known for having some of the worst traffic in the world, is finally building a metro system with help from China. The first line of the metro, an elevated train running 14 miles from the outskirts to the city center, is set to open in 2028. The metro, along with dedicated bus lanes, bike paths, and sidewalks, aims to transform the city and alleviate congestion. Bogotá's roads were poorly designed, lacking express lanes and traffic lights, causing bottlenecks and slow speeds. The city's bus rapid transit system, TransMilenio, built 25 years ago, has failed to keep up with the growing population. Efforts to build a metro have been hindered by politics and changing plans by successive mayors. However, construction is now underway, and the metro will eventually include three lines and combine elevated trains with subways. City officials are also promoting alternative means of transport and expanding bike paths and bus lanes.