Mérida cable car
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mérida Cable Car (Spanish: Teleférico de Mérida) is the world's highest cable car. Its base is located in the Venezuelan city of Mérida at an altitude of 1640 m (5381 ft), and its terminus is on Pico Espejo, at 4765 m (15633 ft). The whole system was opened to the public in 1960.
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[edit] Structure
The Mérida Cable Car is constituted by four cable cars connected serially, making it easy to move across 12.5 km (8 mi) and overcome the unevenness between the city of Mérida and the Espejo Peak.
Each section of route has two lanes, in each lane there is a cable-car that has a capacity to transport 36 passengers. The cable-car moves with a velocity of 5 m/s thanks to the suspended cable that is actioned 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 sections.
[edit] 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 were started the topographic studies that would allow the design of the project and its immediate construction. 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. Even if the inauguration was initially set amidst the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the city, it 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 Habberger Swiss Company.
Director of the works was Maurice Comte from France. Also standing out because of their work were several professional veterans from Italy, like Giovanni Rizzi, and Switzerland, like Raymond Ruffieux. Most of the work was performed by workers from towns from Mérida. Technicians and engineers came from many foreign countries, including Poland, Yugoslavia, Colombia, and Haiti.
Nowadays, the system is serviced regularly to optimize technology. Computer systems have been included, controlling electricity, electronics and mechanics.
The cable car is owned by the Venezuelan State and is under responsibility of the Vice-Ministry of Tourism.
[edit] Sections
- Barinitas Station: Located 1,640 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
[edit] External links
- (Spanish) Sistema Teleférico de Mérida - Official site.
