Buenos Aires Unveils Massive Subway Expansion: New Line F to Connect Northern and Southern Districts

In a significant development for urban mobility, the head of the Buenos Aires government, Jorge Macri, will announce this Friday the construction of a “mega work” in the city. The project involves the development of a new subway line, designated as Line F, which will span approximately 8.6 kilometers and connect the northern and southern zones of the Federal Capital.

The new subway line, which will feature thirteen stations, is expected to significantly improve connectivity and reduce congestion in the city. According to sources from Buenos Aires, the project will be unveiled by the mayor during a press conference scheduled for 7:45 a.m. at Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Julio Víctor González, near the Faculty Station of subway line H.

The route of Line F will stretch from the southern area of Tents to Palermo, with an estimated completion date of 2030. This ambitious project aims to directly benefit approximately 600,000 passengers, including users of the Roca railway and the San Martín. The new underground will connect with all existing lines: at Constitution with Line C, at Entre Ríos with Line E, at Congress with Line A, at Corrientes with Line B, at Callao with Line D, and at Las Heras with Line H.

The estimated cost of the project exceeds $1 billion. This announcement by Jorge Macri marks the end of more than a decade without new subway tenders. The last mayor to project and build a new line was Mauricio Macri, who launched the works of section H connecting Recoleta with Patricios Park.

The Projects to Build Subway Lines of Law 670

The construction of Line F, included in Law 670 of 2001, has been postponed for more than 24 years. The project was presented by then-Mayor Aníbal Ibarra and approved by the Buenos Aires Legislature in March of that year. The original plan contemplated a first stage of development from Constitution to Palermo, with an underground circulation to Juan de Garay avenues, Entre Ríos, Callao, and Las Heras. The second stage proposed an extension to Barracas by Montes de Oca and/or Vélez Sarsfield avenue until the end of the tour at the intersection with California.

Law 670 also included the construction of the G and I lines. The first was to travel from Retiro to the Cid Campeador (7.3 km and 11 stations), while the second would travel from Emilio Miter to Plaza Italia (6.6 km and 10 stations).

The Ambitious Mobility Plan of Jorge Macri

The work on the new subway line complements an ambitious transportation plan launched by Macri in January. This plan involves a $700 million expenditure for the purchase of 214 new subway wagons, electric trambuses, a multipago system for groups, and works on the Dellepiane highway.

The objective of the new integrated urban mobility system is to “reorder the management of citizen mobility in the field of Capital Federal.” The redesign, announced by the Buenos Aires authorities, will cover the entire circulation system, from particular vehicular traffic and the 31 collective lines that the nation transferred to the Buenos Aires Executive in 2024, to the highways that surround the city and 311 kilometers of Cyclevay used by 300,000 people daily. Until now, the mobility plan did not contemplate the implementation of new underground works.

In the plans of the Buenos Aires Executive, the construction of a “mega station” of train on the lands adjacent to the Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires. The work will allow to connect four railroad branches and subway H.

The plan contemplates two stages. The first will connect the new station with the railroad Belgrano Norte and the Mitre (Tigre branch). In addition, it will favor the link with the lines of groups that pass through the area: 17, 61, 62, 97, 92, 93, 110, 124, 130. This phase will take two years until its conclusion.

The second stage will cover the rest of the Mitre line, that is, the José León Suarez and Bartolomé Mitre branches, and the incorporation of the San Martín line. In their final sections, these railroads are close to the subway in the neighborhoods of Villa Crespo and Palermo (San Martín) and Collegiate and Carranza (Mitre).

Although the route of the new Line F does not plan to connect with the new station, since it will circulate along Las Heras Avenue, it will allow to rearrange the flow of users to the northern zone in peak times.

Implications for U.S. Urban Mobility

This ambitious project in Buenos Aires serves as a model for U.S. cities grappling with similar urban mobility challenges. Cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago could benefit from similar integrated mobility plans. For instance, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has been exploring ways to expand its subway system to alleviate congestion and improve connectivity, much like Buenos Aires’ plans for Line F.

In Los Angeles, the Metro system has been expanding with new lines and extensions, but the city still faces significant traffic congestion. The integration of new subway lines with existing transportation networks, as seen in Buenos Aires, could provide a blueprint for improving mobility in Los Angeles.

Chicago’s “L” train system has also been undergoing expansions and improvements, but the city could learn from Buenos Aires’ approach to integrating different modes of transportation. The new Line F in Buenos Aires will connect with multiple existing lines, providing a seamless travel experience for passengers, a concept that could be applied to U.S. cities.

Counterarguments and Criticisms

While the benefits of such projects are clear, critics argue that the high cost and long construction times could be a burden on taxpayers. For example, the estimated cost of $1 billion for Line F is significant, and the project is expected to take five years to complete. In the U.S., similar concerns have been raised about the cost and timeline of major infrastructure projects, such as the Second Avenue Subway in New York City.

However, proponents of these projects argue that the long-term benefits, including reduced congestion, improved air quality, and economic development, outweigh the initial costs. The integration of new subway lines with existing transportation networks can also enhance the overall efficiency of the system, making it a worthwhile investment.

Conclusion

Buenos Aires’ ambitious mobility plan, including the construction of Line F, serves as a valuable case study for U.S. cities looking to improve their urban mobility. By integrating new subway lines with existing transportation networks and focusing on long-term benefits, cities can achieve significant improvements in connectivity and sustainability. As Buenos Aires moves forward with its plans, U.S. cities can learn from its successes and challenges to develop their own comprehensive mobility solutions.