La linea
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La linea tunnel is under construction crossing totally the famous "Alto de La linea", situated between the cities of Calarca, Quindio and Cajamarca, Tolima in Colombia. Currently (March/05/2007) the two sides are being drilled to meet; their advance is as fallows: Calarca (Quindio): 1,496m & Cajamarca (Tolima): 2,895. The total length of the tunnel would be 8,580m being the longest tunnel built on the country.
Within the benefits of the project the diminution in operation costs is included, less time of trip and reduction in accidents. Savings in operational costs: They occur by the difference of a journey of 22 km of road of deficient characteristics and scarped land geometry crossing at an altitude of 3,300 m to a journey of 11,9 km in flat land and to a height of only 2,463.5m.
It is possible to write down that the ascent, with regard to Calarcá, begins to 1,536 m that is the height to which is the urban perimeter, to arrive at the 2,422.54 m that is the height of the Galicia Vestibule. Saving a height of 840 m. Saving in route 10 km. The savings in operation costs are aproximately of USD 37 millions during the first year. Also savings in time range appear because of the greater speed of operation, the present average speed is of 18,2 km/h and it will goes up to an average of 60 km/h, in the same way, the savings in the days of route are approximately of 80 minutes for heavy vehicles and of 40 minutes for light vehicles. The savings by shortest times of trip are about USD 3,6 millions during the first year. At the present time, the Calarcá section - Cajamarca presents/displays one of the greater index of accidents of the country by the geometric and climatic conditions of the zone. The number of accidents by kilometer is four times superior to the national average. With the project, the accidents would be reduced in a 75%. The economic benefits by these factors would be around USD 40 millions a year.