1,500 Workers Are Needed for the Bogota Metro, and They Will Be Brought in From China
On November 3, Bogota Metro Line 1 participated in a job fair, an event that brought the community closer to the opportunities to work on the construction of this project, one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country. The city’s mayor’s office celebrated the fact that the opportunities did not end with that […]
The construction of the First Line of the Bogotá Metro faces a shortage of 1,500 workers, prompting the Metro Line 1 S.A.S. concessionaire to consider hiring personnel from China. On November 3, Bogota Metro Line 1 hosted a job fair to promote employment opportunities in the project's construction. The city's mayor's office stated that the Metro Line 1 concessionaire continues to receive applications for various job roles, including construction assistants, hydraulic construction workers, riggers, plumbing assistants, and electrical technicians.
The district administration highlighted the recruitment drive as an opportunity for individuals to contribute their skills and expertise to a project transforming Bogota's mobility. However, the shortage of 1,500 workers is a significant concern. The Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic warned that delays persist in various project areas, including stations, systems, equipment, the road network, and public spaces.
These delays may result in the completion of certain works not being finalized by the time testing of the First Line begins.
Hiring workers from China would cost approximately US$10 million. The oversight body will investigate the number of workers needed, the hiring timeline, and whether this expense is included in the concession contract or could become an additional cost for the project. Despite the contract allowing flexibility in execution timelines, the Comptroller's Office will examine the scope of these provisions and their impact on compliance with the agreed dates, potential fines, and the risk of extended deadlines and increased costs.
Additionally, the network of utility lines required to be relocated grew from about 130 to around 320 kilometers, more than doubling initial plans. This necessitates additional resources, leading to reassignment procedures. The project's oversight firm reported 614 warnings issued to the concessionaire in September and October 2026, along with action plans and ongoing sanction proceedings. The Comptroller's Office will assess the effectiveness of these measures.
Currently, 84.68% of the contracted work with the concessionaire has been completed. The recent pouring of the closure segment of the concrete bridge at NQS Avenue and 8th Street South marks a significant milestone, allowing work to continue on the viaduct. However, progress is uneven, with critical areas like systems, equipment, the road network, and public spaces needing more completion.
Stations 11 and 15 are still in the early stages of construction. The Comptroller's Office will continue monitoring and overseeing the project, focusing on the effectiveness of the measures taken to address the delays and shortages.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
