Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 5 / Trend /
The Baku Metro plans to build a new station next year after the opening of the Azadliq Prospekti station, Baku Metro Chief Tagi Ahmedov said this week. The statement was made during a Baku Metro developmental meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev, the AzerTaj state news agency reported.
"Construction of a sixth station is underway," he said. "Its commissioning is scheduled for 2011."
Ahmedov added that construction of the Avtovokzal and Memar Ajami-2 stations is proceeding intensively. Passengers will be able to move from Memar Ajami-2 to the existing lines after these stations are commissioned.
Earlier, work was completed to develop a state program on the metro's 20-year development.
The tender was conducted to develop a feasibility study on a promising development plan.
As a result, an international consortium was created with the participation of the well-known French SYSTRA, British Mott MacDonald and South Korean Saman, which are all highly experienced in subway construction, Ahmedov said.
"The consortium prepared a prospective scheme of underground lines to develop an underground transport network in Baku as a public transportation system meeting international standards," he said. "A detailed socioeconomic analysis and surveys were conducted among passengers during the work to create an expanded network of these lines and the most suitable prospective scheme."
The head of the Baku Metro stressed that passenger needs in public transport, as well as the average distance of passenger movement and train frequency were determined during a poll.
The plan included studies of the annual growth rate of the population in Baku with a margin of 2.5 percent. The analysis covered the following criteria - previous public transport tests, urban plans, city economic development, land use and traffic intensity.
The length of the stations was defined at 140 meters (for trains with seven carriages) during the development plan feasibility study. The external diameter of the tunnels was set at six meters to ensure their long-term operation in the future, Ahmedov said.
He said about 38,000 passengers per hour are transported in the metro during rush hour in one direction. According to research conducted by an international consortium, the figure could reach 48,000 in 2016 and 80,000 people in 2030 if the metro is not expanded. Taking into account safety and convenience, this figure must hit 30,000 people according to European standards, that is, six passengers must be transported in every one square meter of a carriage. At present, 8-10 passengers are transported now in the Baku Metro during rush hour at one square meter.
According to the plan, the total metro network will consist of five lines - two existing and three new lines, 76 stations and 119 kilometers of subway lines. Fifty-three new stations and 84.3 kilometers of subway lines will be built. While choosing locations for new stations, integration and linkages with other forms of public transport were taken into account.
First and foremost, the plan includes building the western and eastern areas and expanding existing lines. Additional priorities include launching the complex (Avtovokzal-Memar Ajami-2- B3-B4-B5) consisting of five stations and 6.8 kilometers of subway lines. This direction covers a new bus station complex, the third and fourth micro-regions, Tbilisi Avenue and Fizuli Street. The traffic intensity will hit 45 trains per hour. At present, the intensity is 30 trains per hour. It is assumed that about 550 million manat will be required to build a 6.8-kilometer subway line in this direction and to modernize the car fleet.
The second priority direction-launch complex (sixth station-Y-3- Boyukshor-M. Azizbayov-2-Sabunchi-Bakikhanov-Y- 22-Garachuhur - Yeni Guneshli - these are the names of points) consists of 8 stations and 12.5 kilometers of subway lines. If 33 trains of 5 carriages work in this direction, about 165 carriages will be required. The traffic intensity will hit 45 trains per hour.
The third priority direction (H. Aslanov-Zikh Highway-Military Academy) consists of two stations and 3.7 kilometers of subway lines. The car fleet will have 55 carriages with 11 trains, with a traffic intensity of 45 trains per hour and an estimated cost of 296 million manat.
"Of course, this figure may change due to issues that arise in the course of the work," he said.