Mérida cable car

The Mérida Cable Car (Spanish: Teleférico de Mérida) or Mukumbarí is a cable car system in Venezuela. Its base is located in the Venezuelan city of Mérida at an altitude of 1,577 metres (5,174 ft), and its terminus is on Pico Espejo, at 4,765 metres (15,633 ft). It is the highest and second longest cable car in the world for just 500 meters, but is in first place for being the only one which combined such height and length. Mérida Cable Car is a journey of 12.5 kilometers, reaching a height of 4,765 meters, making it an engineering marvel that is one of a kind and has over 40 years of history. The whole system was opened to the public in 1960; it was closed indefinitely in 2008, with a declaration that it had reached the end of its service life and would be rebuilt.[1] In 2011 a project of total modernization of the fixed and mechanical infrastructure of the cable car system was launched. In October 2016 a new regular service was inaugurated.

Mérida cable car cabin arriving at the first station.
La Aguada Station
Mérida Cable Car
Mérida Cable Car, lowest station, Barinitas.

Structure

The Mérida Cable Car is made up of four cable cars connected serially, making it easy to move across 12.5 kilometres (7.8 mi) and overcome the rugged terrain between the city of Mérida and the Espejo Peak.

Each section of the route has two lanes, in each lane there is a cable car that has a capacity to transport 36 passengers. The cable car moves at a velocity of 5 metres per second (18 km/h; 11 mph) thanks to the suspended cable that was run by an engine. There are two different engines: the first in the La Montaña station that serves to the section between that station and the La Aguada station. The other one is located in the Loma Redonda station and serves the rest of the section

History and administration

This technological achievement emerged from a project of the former Andean Venezuelan Club (Club Andino Venezolano) in 1952, and its purpose was to make it easier for tourists and Andeans to ascend to the Sierra Nevada de Mérida. The idea was approved by the national government. In 1955 topographic studies to allow the design of the project and its immediate construction were started. In December 1956 the route towards the mountains was first traced.

On November 8, 1957, the first car of the Loading System arrived to La Aguada, overcoming the natural barriers of the Andean forests. The inauguration was initially set amidst the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the city, but was never made official because of the death of Pius XII. In the end, the system opened to the public in March 1960.

The cable car itself was built in France by 25 different companies, hired by the famous enterprise Applevage, a specialist in cable cars. Other foreign companies assumed specialized tasks: Eggeca was in charge of the civil works; Egecom in charge of the metal structures; Sucre-Barret was also responsible for important tasks. The first three sections of the Loading cable car were built by the German company Heckel and the last one by the Swiss company Habegger.

The Director of the works was Maurice Comte from France, assisted by several professional veterans such as Giovanni Rizzi (from Italy), and Raymond Ruffieux (from Switzerland). Most of the work was performed by workers from Mérida state. Technicians and engineers came from many foreign countries, including Poland, Yugoslavia, Colombia and Haiti. The international contribution was evident up until its closure in 2008 as operators on the route would often speak in French, rather than Spanish.

The cable car is owned by the Venezuelan State and is under responsibility of the Vice-Ministry of Tourism.

Closing And Re-opening

On August 11, 2008 the Venezuelan Ministry of Tourism announced that there would be an indefinite closure of the cable car service to the general public. Ten days later Titina Azuaje, head of the Ministry of Tourism, issued a press release stating that the closure had been decided on the basis of a conclusive report made by The Doppelmayr Group, which recommended no further repairs to the existing aerial tramway system since it had reached the end of its service life. The construction of a brand new cable car was underway with a projected opening date in 2012, which was subsequently delayed.[1] In October 2016 the brand new system was opened to the public. Prices vary by date, but as November 2016 the day-pass is fifty dollars ($ 50.00) for foreigners or eight thousand bolivares (Bs. 8000) for Venezuelans. [2]

Sections
  • Barinitas Station: Located 1,577 MSL in the city of Mérida.
  • La Montaña Station: Located 2,436 MSL.
  • La Aguada Station: Located 3,452 MSL.
  • Loma Redonda Station: Located 4,045 MSL.
  • Pico Espejo Station: Located 4,765 MSL at the Pico Espejo


See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2012-04-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/finanzas/article74776352.html

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