Work in progress Puerto Cabello – La Encrucijada branch Another part of the Ezequiel Zamora railway axis has under construction between the sea port city of Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State, and the crossroads town of
La Encrucijada,
Aragua State. The line is predominately east–west, although between the station at
Naguanagua and the terminus at Puerto Cabello the route changes to a north–south direction. 14 tunnels including the
Bárbula Tunnel (the longest in South America) and many bridges are required to connect between the various stations along this line. The project is behind schedule. In 2016 work on the Puerto Cabello railway was described as "irregular and marked by slow payments by the client as a result of the
country’s poor economic conditions, mainly related to the drop in the price of oil." The new stations under construction are found in: •
La Encrucijada, Aragua State; the hub in La Encrucijada will provide easy access to the users from
Cagua, Aragua State. •
Maracay, Aragua State; •
Mariara, Carabobo State; •
San Joaquín, Carabobo State •
San Diego, Carabobo State* • Naguanagua, Carabobo State* • Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State (*)These two are suburban cities of
Valencia.
Chaguaramas – Las Mercedes – Cabruta – Caicara del Orinoco branch Another branch north–south line found mainly in Guarico State that will cross the Orinoco River and enter the
Bolívar State.
Maracaibo – Sabana de Mendoza branch This will start in the capital city of Maracaibo
Zulia State nearby the
Maracaibo Metro (subway) station. The line will cross the mouth of
Lake Maracaibo in a combination tunnel/bridge under construction in an east–west direction and after the
El Tablazo stop the line follows a north-north-west to south-south-east direction. The stations are as follows: • Maracaibo, Zulia State; • El Tablazo, Zulia State; •
Santa Rita State; •
Cabimas, Zulia State; •
Ciudad Ojeda, Zulia State; •
Lagunillas, Zulia State; •
Bachaquero, Zulia State; •
Mene Grande, Zulia State; • Sabana de Mendoza,
Trujillo State.
Puerto Ordaz – Maturín – Manicuare branch This route will start from Ciudad Guyana
Bolívar State, the Puerto Ordaz section and cross the
Orinoco River to go south–north to reach Maturín,
Monagas State and continue till it reaches the
Sucre State where the line will run east–west until it reaches the deep sea water port of Manicuare.
Acarigua – Turén branch The completion of an extension of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a north–south line connection between Acarigua, and Turén.
Tinaco – Anaco branch The first phase is part of the
North Llanero railway axis (northern plains) an east–west line that would provide service to the following cities/towns: • Anaco,
Anzoátegui State; •
Aragua de Barcelona, Anzoátegui State; •
Zaraza, Guárico State; •
Tucupito, Guárico State •
Valle de la Pascua, Guárico State; •
Chaguaramos, Guárico State •
El Sombrero, Guárico State; •
Dos Caminos, Guárico State; •
El Pao,
Cojedes; • Tinaco, Cojedes State, and work was to be completed by 2012. As part of a National Rail Development Plan, the
standard gauge Tinaco-Anaco railway, was inaugurated with
Chinese funding in 2009. About a fifth of the work had been done by 2012. though the route remains on the State Railways Institution's map of railways under construction .
Parque Recreacional – El Encanto branch This 7 km long branch independent of all other rail systems is for recreational purposes only. Mainly is to provide entertainment for tourists, these enchanted sights must be viewed by all. Originally this summit section was part of the
Great Venezuela Railway (180 km in length) built in 1909 and operated until after 1937. If all goes well this will be available to the public in 2012. Work began in 2015 on a 350 million bolivar plan to restore the of track, with 7 tunnels and 5 bridges, to provide a 25-minute journey from Los Lagos to
El Encanto.
Planning/design stage La Encrucijada – Cúa branch The completion of the connection from La Encrucijada to the Tuy Valley will be made at a later date.
Sabana de Mendoza – Barquisimeto branch A follow-up future east–west phase will connect Sabana de Mendoza with Barquisimeto Lara State.
San Juan de Los Morros – La Encrucijada branch Future expansion includes a north–south connection between San Juan de Los Morros and La Encrucijada Station.
Anaco – Maturín branch A separate phase for the North Llanero railway axis to be constructed at a later date will connect in an east–west direction Maturín Monagas State with Anaco Anzoátegui State.
Tinaco – San Cristóbal branch The full route, the North Llanero railway axis will be completed at a later date and will add services among the additional following cities: •
San Carlos, Cojedes State; • Acarigua, Portuguesa State; •
Guanare, Portuguesa State; •
Sabaneta,
Barinas State; •
Barinas, Barinas State; •
Barinitas, Barinas State; •
San Rafael del Piñal,
Táchira State; • San Cristóbal, Táchira State.
Caicara – Puerto Ayacucho branch This north–south branch will connect Bolívar State to
Amazonas State although a possible alternative would be to join San Fernando de Apure to Puerto Ayacucho.
San Fernando de Apure – Ciudad Bolívar – Ciudad Guayana – Tucupita branch This east–west route will connect Apure State, Guarico State, Bolivar State, Anzoategui State, Monagas State and
Delta Amacuro State. Also this line will have stops in Cabruta and Caicara.
Caracas – La Guaira branch This dominately north–south route joining Federal District to
Vargas State will provide access to and from Caracas and its International/National Airports and one of its major Seaports. • Caracas (La Rinconada) • Maiquetía Airport • La Guaira Seaport Completion of this line is expected within five years after fund approval. There are no rail links to adjacent countries. == See also ==