page_title: Santiago Metro Line 3
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Santiago Metro Line 3 / History
context_page_description: Line 3 is a rapid transit line of the Santiago Metro. Traveling from La Reina in the east towards Quilicura in the North, Line 3 was originally intended to open in the late 1980s, but the 1985 Algarrobo Earthquake hampered its construction, and a subsequent urban explosion in Puente Alto and Maipú further put its construction on hold, until in the early 2010s construction started. The first phase of the project includes 18 stations, which were completed and opened to the public on 22 January, 2019. The second phase, composed of a three-station extension towards the main square of Quilicura, should open by 2023. Its color on the map is chocolate.
context_section_description: Line 3 was initially planned for construction after Lines 1 and 2 but the 1985 Algarrobo earthquake near Santiago meant work on the new line had to be postponed so that the resources could be used to rebuild the damage caused by the earthquake. In the 90s, Santiago’s transportation needs changed dramatically with a population explosion in the south of the city, especially the communes of La Florida, Chile and Puente Alto, and the plans for the Line 3 were postponed again in favour of Line 5, Line 4 and Line 4A in the south.
  Despite this, there are pockets of Line 3 works hidden around Santiago, such as the Ghost Station under Puente Cal y Canto station, located to the east of the line 2 side of the station, where works were carried out for years.
  In 2010, another new line was announced, Line 6, which once again saw the construction of Line 3 pushed back. Criticism of this delay led finally to the announcement of a new Line 3 construction project by the Chilean government on October 5, 2010. An initial length of track and 18 stations were announced in July 2011, with an extension of 1.7 km announced in May 2012, connecting to an extra station at the Military Hospital. This will provide access to the hospital itself, to Eulogio Sánchez Airport (better known as Tobalaba Airfield), and to the commune of La Reina, and close to Peñalolén.
  Line 3 connecting with all Santiago Metro lines except for Line 4A. It connects with Line 1 at Universidad de Chile station, with Line 2 and the future Line 7 at Puente Cal y Canto station, with Line 4 at Plaza Egaña station and with Line 5 at Plaza de Armas station and Irarrázaval station. It is also connecting with Line 6 at Ñuñoa station once Line 3. Its distinctive colour on the network line map is an brown.
  Three more stations are schedule to be open in 2023, in the commune of Quilicura on the north, however the expansion to Hospital Militar in La Reina was again dismissed. On January 22, the president Piñera announced that the Hospital Militar station will be constructed after the Lines 7, 8 and 9, are completed in year 2028.
caption: Projected map of Line 3 as planned for 1987.
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