28-Story Escalator Opens in Colombia (VIDEO)
A 28-story escalator has just been completed in Medellin, Colombia, making it the world’s largest and longest outdoor elevator.
The elevator was not built to set any records rather it was built for the residents of one of Medellin’s less privileged neighborhoods, Comuna 13. For decades this area has been home to some of Colombia’s most dangerous criminals and drug lords.
For residents of Comuna 13 this will be a much appreciated change. The neighborhood is situated on a very steep hillside. For residents to get around they had to trek through steep and narrow streets as well as climb up and down hundreds of steps.
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The town is located west of Bogota and north of Cali, Columbia. Around 12,000 people call it home. Every day, men, women and children conquer the grueling quarter-mile hike up the steep hill to get around the old town.
This new elevator will allow everyone to get from the top to the bottom in just around six minutes, a far cry from the previous commute time of more than half an hour.
The project was funded by the use of tax dollars and cost a reported $6.7 million.
Mayor Alonso Salazar was extremely pleased with the project, “It turned out very well,” adding that he has not heard of any such project elsewhere in this world, according to The Washington Post.
Local resident, Olga Holguin, told RCN television, “This is a dream come true.”
Cesar Hernandez, head of projects for Medellin, told The Washington Post that the automated stairway was broken into six different sections and has a total length of 1,260 feet. One escalator ascends into the town while the second elevator goes down. Authorities also plan to build a covering for inclement weather.
Salazar was also optimistic for the neighborhood when he described Comuna 13 as the city’s district that has “suffered the greatest urban violence... but lately this has been receding and we hope this social package will help it move forward.”
