Milan Metro Line 3

M3

People waiting for the train at Duomo station

Duomo station
Overview
Type Rapid Transit
System Milan Metro
Status operational
Locale Milan, Italy
Termini Comasina
San Donato
Stations 21
Daily ridership 250,000 (2012)[1]
Operation
Opened 3 May 1990
Operator(s) Azienda Trasporti Milanesi
Depot(s) Rogoredo Depot
Technical
Line length 17.1 km (10.6 mi)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification Overhead lines 1500 V DC
Route number 3
Route map

The Milan Metro Line 3, (Linea Tre in Italian), is a subway line serving Milan, Italy. The line is part of the Milan Metro and is operated by ATM. Construction began in 1981 in order to be ready for the 1990 Football World Cup. It is also called the Yellow Line (Linea Gialla) as it is identified by yellow signage.

The line connects the south-eastern suburb of San Donato Milanese to the north-western area of the city passing through the city centre. It is 17.1 km long with 21 stations.

A proposed south extension to Paullo is currently on hold due to lack of funds.

History

Inside an original line M3 train.

The proposal for a third metro line was approved by Milan municipality in 1977. The route was chosen based on a study of main traffic routes in previous years. The final project was presented in early 1981 and works on the new line began on 8 September of the same year.[2] The first section, from Centrale to Duomo was opened on 3 May 1990, just before the beginning of the World Cup. However, only a shuttle service was active between the two terminus. The line was extended to Porta Romana at the end of the year.[3]

New extensions to Sondrio on the north and to San Donato on the south opened on 12 May 1991.[4]

Works on the new line slowed down during the following years. Zara station was inaugurated only on 16 December 1995 and Maciachini on 8 December 2003.[4] The last extension (4 stations on the north) opened in early 2011.[5]

Trains

There are 3 types of trains running on the line: the original 1989-1990 trains, revamped original trains and the new AnsaldoBreda Meneghino trains. Trains use an overhead line providing a voltage of 1,500 V DC. The track gauge is the 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge.

Planned extension

A south extension of the line is planned. The new section will run from San Donato through the municipalities of San Donato Milanese, Peschiera Borromeo, Mediglia, Pantigliate, Settala and Paullo. The extension will be 14.8 km (9.2 mi) long with 6 stations and will be mostly underground (60%).[6]

Although the project was approved in 2010, it was put on hold at the beginning of 2011 due to lack of funds.[7] Works are planned to start in 2015.[8]

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Area C rilancia i mezzi pubblici è boom di passeggeri sul metrò". la Repubblica. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  2. ↑ Severi, Vasini (1989). Metropolitana di Milano. Milano: Azienda Trasporti Municipali.
  3. ↑ "Milano sperimenta il suo terzo metrò". Corriere della Sera. 1 May 1990.
  4. 1 2 "La cronistoria della Metropolitana di Milano". CityRailways. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  5. ↑ "Nuove fermate linea 3". Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  6. ↑ "Prolungamento linee Metropolitane e Nodo Interscambio Fiera: Metropolitana linea 3". Comune di Milano. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  7. ↑ "Metrò choc, bloccato il prolungamento fino a Paullo". Il Giorno. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  8. ↑ "Prolungamenti". Metropolitana Milanese. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
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