Reconstruction of collapsed metro in Mexico City begins

The reconstruction of the section of the Mexico City metro that collapsed in May and caused the deaths of 26 people will begin this week and all the companies that took part in its construction will participate, the head of government of the capital, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced on Tuesday.

The Mexican businessman Carlos Slim, owner of one of the construction companies, had already committed to repair and pay for the damaged section so that it can be operational again in a year.

But, in addition, the other companies involved in the work such as Alston, ICA and CAF will participate and assume the cost of the works, said the mayor.

The final report on the accident is awaited. According to a preliminary report released by the authorities in June, the first indications suggest that the incident was due to a “structural failure” related to deficiencies in the construction process and unfinished or poorly executed welding, among other aspects.

On Tuesday the recommendations of the technical advisory committee were released, which determined that the collapsed section be rebuilt and other elevated parts be reinforced by a system of metal shoring and concrete columns to increase its structural capacity. In addition, there will be random inspections and repair of welds.

In the part of the line that is underground, the recommendations have to do, among other things, with solving water leaks, drainage and changing the road in seven curves, Sheinbaum explained.

Inaugurated in 2012, Line 12 – also known as the “Golden Line” – has an extension of 25.1 kilometers and around 220,000 people were mobilized daily.

It cost $ 1.3 billion – 50% more than anticipated – and suffered repeated construction delays as it was hit by allegations of design flaws, corruption and conflicts of interest.