BELAM
Encyclopedia
BELAM is a defunct plan for a rapid transit system
in Belgrade
. It was due to begin construction in 2008. It was intended to relieve Belgrade's growing traffic congestion issues, with the first stretch of line opening in 2012. The first line has an estimated cost of 450 million euro
, taking some 5 years to complete.
system in Belgrade
is a relatively old one, and originates from the 1950s when it was driven by Belgrade's blooming number of inhabitants and the lack of adequate transport
infrastructure. However, the inability to decide between proposals to construct a modern tram
system and a classic underground one meant that the project was to stay largely stagnating in years to come. The political turmoil
of the 1990s and lack of potential funding extinguished further development of the idea.
With the beginning of the 21st century, however, the idea came to life once again, facing similar problems. Despite fierce debates on the most adequate solution, Belgrade's present leadership pressed on with a pre-feasibility study
on a light rail
system which received a positive review in the late 2001. BELAM, consequently, became an integral part of Belgrade's Master plan for the year 2021. Construction was due to begin in 2006. but was postponed 'till 2008. Serbian group JUGINUS and Spanish INECO are in charge of the construction.
Although project's implementation seems rather certain at this point, fierce opponents' criticism has not ceased. Their main argumentation remains that the only criteria for choosing light rail over conventional metro was the comparatively low cost. They insist that constructing light rail transit system will not deal with the capital's transport issues in the long run.
On the other hand, project supporters maintain that the economic aspect is essential. Furthermore, they claim that estimates on maximal usage of the lines cannot exceed 13.000-14.000 passengers/hour (on the busiest stretches), at least not in the next 20 years, whilst the systems capacity maxes out at 20.000 passengers/hour. Possibility of conversion to a conventional metro and easy connections to existing tram lines are, according to the supporters, further arguments in favor of light rail.
There are certain speculations that the project would be abandoned in favor of a conventional metro, if Belgrade's government was to change.
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Line 1 - Central line (Serbian
: Централна/Centralna) - is to be constructed first. The pre-feasibility study has it denoted as "primary". The overall length of the line should be 12,5 km, with 20 stations (12 overground, 8 underground). The line is intended to start from the Tvornička St. in Zemun
, headed towards the municipality of Novi Beograd
, and further east, towards the river Sava. After crossing the river over a designated bridge constructed adjacent to the existing one (Brankov most) the line is then planned to enter deep-level tunnels, calling at Square of the Republic and Nikola Pašić square
before moving on in the direction of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law
. From that station onwards, the line should then resurface and would follow the Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra
St. terminating at its intersection with Ustanička St. The full list of stations is as follows:
: Врачарска/Vračarska) would be sharing a station with Line 1 - The Faculty of Law/Pošta station. From here it would work its way to Slavija
and Prokop (Belgrade's future Main train station) in deep-level tunnels. It would then proceed towards Belgrade Fair
and Hipodrom. Its stations are expected to be:
: Савска/Savska) would depart from Novi Beograd
where it's supposed to share the Proleterske solidarnosti station with Central line, headed for Novi Beograd mainline train station. Afterwards it would proceed across the Sava (in an, as of yet, undetermined way, most like it will share a road bridge planned for constructions across the Ada
) and would terminate at Banovo Brdo
. Planned stations:
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
. It was due to begin construction in 2008. It was intended to relieve Belgrade's growing traffic congestion issues, with the first stretch of line opening in 2012. The first line has an estimated cost of 450 million euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
, taking some 5 years to complete.
The idea
The idea to construct a rapid transitRapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
system in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
is a relatively old one, and originates from the 1950s when it was driven by Belgrade's blooming number of inhabitants and the lack of adequate transport
Transport
Transport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...
infrastructure. However, the inability to decide between proposals to construct a modern tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
system and a classic underground one meant that the project was to stay largely stagnating in years to come. The political turmoil
Yugoslav wars
The Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...
of the 1990s and lack of potential funding extinguished further development of the idea.
With the beginning of the 21st century, however, the idea came to life once again, facing similar problems. Despite fierce debates on the most adequate solution, Belgrade's present leadership pressed on with a pre-feasibility study
Feasibility study
Feasibility studies aim to objectively and rationally uncover the strengths and weaknesses of the existing business or proposed venture, opportunities and threats as presented by the environment, the resources required to carry through, and ultimately the prospects for success. In its simplest...
on a light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
system which received a positive review in the late 2001. BELAM, consequently, became an integral part of Belgrade's Master plan for the year 2021. Construction was due to begin in 2006. but was postponed 'till 2008. Serbian group JUGINUS and Spanish INECO are in charge of the construction.
Although project's implementation seems rather certain at this point, fierce opponents' criticism has not ceased. Their main argumentation remains that the only criteria for choosing light rail over conventional metro was the comparatively low cost. They insist that constructing light rail transit system will not deal with the capital's transport issues in the long run.
On the other hand, project supporters maintain that the economic aspect is essential. Furthermore, they claim that estimates on maximal usage of the lines cannot exceed 13.000-14.000 passengers/hour (on the busiest stretches), at least not in the next 20 years, whilst the systems capacity maxes out at 20.000 passengers/hour. Possibility of conversion to a conventional metro and easy connections to existing tram lines are, according to the supporters, further arguments in favor of light rail.
There are certain speculations that the project would be abandoned in favor of a conventional metro, if Belgrade's government was to change.
Lines
Belgrade's Master plan for the year 2021 envisions three lines operating within the system. The strict timeline that saw the construction of the third line commencing as soon as 2012 has now been abandoned and the only relatively fixed date has the year 2008 as the dead-line for the beginning of Phase 0 of construction.Line 1
|}
Line 1 - Central line (Serbian
Serbian language
Serbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
: Централна/Centralna) - is to be constructed first. The pre-feasibility study has it denoted as "primary". The overall length of the line should be 12,5 km, with 20 stations (12 overground, 8 underground). The line is intended to start from the Tvornička St. in Zemun
Zemun
Zemun is a historical town and one of the 17 municipalities which constitute the City of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia...
, headed towards the municipality of Novi Beograd
Novi Beograd
Novi Beograd or New Belgrade is the most populous municipality that constitutes the City of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is a planned city, built in 1947 on the left bank of the Sava river which was previously an uninhabited area, opposite of the old Belgrade...
, and further east, towards the river Sava. After crossing the river over a designated bridge constructed adjacent to the existing one (Brankov most) the line is then planned to enter deep-level tunnels, calling at Square of the Republic and Nikola Pašić square
Nikola Pašic Square
Trg Nikole Pašića or Nikola Pašić Square is one of the central town squares and an urban neighborhoods of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Square is named after Nikola Pašić who served as mayor of Belgrade, prime minister of Serbia and prime minister of Yugoslavia...
before moving on in the direction of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law
University of Belgrade Faculty of Law
The University of Belgrade Faculty of Law , also known as the Belgrade Law School, is one of the first-tier educational institutions of the University of Belgrade, Serbia...
. From that station onwards, the line should then resurface and would follow the Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra
Bulevar kralja Aleksandra
Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra , with length of 7,5 kilometers, is the longest street entirely within the urban limits of Belgrade, capital of Serbia...
St. terminating at its intersection with Ustanička St. The full list of stations is as follows:
- Tvornička St. (downtown Zemun terminus)
- TC Novi Beograd
- Opština Novi Beograd (Novi Beograd Council)
- Bulevar Umetnosti
- (branch for Blok 41 maintenance centre and depot, and Bulevar Umetnosti terminus)
- Arena 1 (adjacent to the recently constructed Belgrade ArenaBelgrade ArenaThe Belgrade Arena is an indoor arena located in Novi Beograd, Belgrade. It is designed as a universal hall for sport, cultural events and other programs. With a total space that covers 48,000 square metres, and an official total capacity of 19,982 seats , it is one of the largest indoor arenas in...
) - Proleterske solidarnosti (interchange for Line 3 - Savska line)
- Šest Kaplara
- Arena 1 (adjacent to the recently constructed Belgrade Arena
- (crossing the Sava)
- Varoš Kapija
- Akademija (optional station, dependent on funding)
- Trg Republike (Square of the Republic)
- Trg Nikole Pašića (Nikola Pašić squareNikola Pašic SquareTrg Nikole Pašića or Nikola Pašić Square is one of the central town squares and an urban neighborhoods of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Square is named after Nikola Pašić who served as mayor of Belgrade, prime minister of Serbia and prime minister of Yugoslavia...
) - Pošta (Main post-office, connection with Faculty of Law station, interchange for Line 2 - Vračar line)
- Vukov spomenik (interchange for BeovozBeovozBeovoz is a commuter rail that provides mass-transit service within Belgrade metropolitan area in Serbia. The main usage of today's system is to connect the suburbs with downtown Belgrade...
urban commuter services) - Đeram
- Lion
- Cvetkova pijaca
- Olimp
- Kluz
- Ustanička St. (terminus)
Line 2
Line 2 - Vračar line (SerbianSerbian language
Serbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
: Врачарска/Vračarska) would be sharing a station with Line 1 - The Faculty of Law/Pošta station. From here it would work its way to Slavija
Slavija (Belgrade)
Slavija Square , officially Dimitrije Tucović Square , is one of the central town squares and an urban neighborhood of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia...
and Prokop (Belgrade's future Main train station) in deep-level tunnels. It would then proceed towards Belgrade Fair
Belgrade Fair
The Belgrade Fair or Beogradski Sajam is a large complex of three large domes and dozens of smaller halls which are the location of the major trade fair, the capital city of Serbia. It is located in the municipality of Savski Venac, on the bank of the Sava river...
and Hipodrom. Its stations are expected to be:
- Pravni fakultet (Faculty of Law terminus, interchange for Line 1 - Central line)
- Slavija
- Klinički centar
- Prokop (interchange for BeovozBeovozBeovoz is a commuter rail that provides mass-transit service within Belgrade metropolitan area in Serbia. The main usage of today's system is to connect the suburbs with downtown Belgrade...
urban commuter services and Serbian RailwaysSerbian RailwaysSerbian Railways is the national railway carrier of Serbia. Its current network spans a distance of 4,347 km in length, with 32% electrified railways....
mainline intercity and international services) - Sajam (Belgrade Fair)
- Hipodrom - Topčider (TopčiderTopciderTopčider is a forest park and an urban neighborhood of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is divided between in the municipalities of Čukarica, Rakovica and Savski Venac...
terminus)
Line 3
Line 3 - Sava line (SerbianSerbian language
Serbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
: Савска/Savska) would depart from Novi Beograd
Novi Beograd
Novi Beograd or New Belgrade is the most populous municipality that constitutes the City of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is a planned city, built in 1947 on the left bank of the Sava river which was previously an uninhabited area, opposite of the old Belgrade...
where it's supposed to share the Proleterske solidarnosti station with Central line, headed for Novi Beograd mainline train station. Afterwards it would proceed across the Sava (in an, as of yet, undetermined way, most like it will share a road bridge planned for constructions across the Ada
Ada Ciganlija
Ada Ciganlija , colloquially shortened to Ada, is a river island that has artificially been turned into a peninsula, located in the Sava River's course through central Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. The name can also refer to the adjoining artificial Sava Lake and its beach...
) and would terminate at Banovo Brdo
Banovo Brdo
Banovo Brdo, , is a neighbourhood of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is located in Belgrade's municipality of Čukarica.Banovo Brdo generally stretches along the Požeška street, the main street connecting the central parts of the Belgrade with the southwestern boroughs and suburbs and itself is...
. Planned stations:
- Proleterske solidarnosti (Novi Beograd terminus, interchange for Central line)
- Arena 2
- Novi Beograd train station (interchange for BeovozBeovozBeovoz is a commuter rail that provides mass-transit service within Belgrade metropolitan area in Serbia. The main usage of today's system is to connect the suburbs with downtown Belgrade...
urban commuter services, and Serbian RailwaysSerbian RailwaysSerbian Railways is the national railway carrier of Serbia. Its current network spans a distance of 4,347 km in length, with 32% electrified railways....
mainline intercity and international services) - Ada Ciganlija
- Hipodrom - Topčider (interchange for Vračarska line)
- Banovo Brdo
- Blagoja Parovića St.
- Požeška St. (Banovo Brdo terminus)
