New Metro Line in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The new section of Metro Line 2 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is intended to provide a mass transport system for the suburban population of Rio de Janeiro most in need on improved transportation facilities. It has been in operation since September 1998, and the time spent by each commuter to travel to and from work each day has been reduced by almost 1.5 h. The new section consists of 10.5 km of ground-level and 2.3 km of elevated double-track metro lines. The completed Metro Line 2 now has eight stations, two of which are elevated. Precast post-tensioned concrete was used extensively in the elevated stations and railway viaducts, with spans of up to 40 m. For the central platform stations, ribbed precast post-tensioned concrete slabs were supported on the cantilevered slabs of the main girder system.