Line 3 (Linea Tre in Italian, also known as M3) is an underground line in Milan, Italy. This line is part of the Milan Metro and operated by ATM. Construction began in 1981 in order to be ready for the 1990 Football World Cup. It is also called the Yellow Line (Linea Gialla) as identified by its yellow signage.

M3
Lodi T.I.B.B. station
Overview
StatusOperational
Line number3
LocaleMilan, Italy
Termini
Connecting lines
Stations21
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemMilan Metro
Operator(s)Azienda Trasporti Milanesi
Depot(s)Rogoredo Depot
Rolling stockUdT series 8000/8100
AnsaldoBreda Meneghino
Daily ridership250,000 (2012)[1]
History
Opened3 May 1990
Technical
Line length17.1 km (10.6 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Route map

The line connects the southeastern suburb of San Donato Milanese to the northwestern area of the city, travelling through the city centre. It is 17.1 km long and has 21 stations.[2]

History

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Inside an original line M3 train.

The proposal for a third metro line was approved by the municipal government of Milan in 1977. The route was chosen based on a study of main traffic routes in previous years. The final projected route was presented in early 1981. Works on the new line began on 8 September in the same year.[3] The first section, from Centrale to Duomo opened on 3 May 1990, just in time for the beginning of the World Cup. However, only a shuttle service was active between the two terminus. The line was extended to Porta Romana at the end of the year.[4]

New extensions to Sondrio to the north and to San Donato to the south opened on 12 May 1991.[5]

Further extensions of the new line happened slowly in the following years. Zara station was inaugurated only on 16 December 1995 and Maciachini on 8 December 2003.[5] The last extension (Maciachini-Comasina) opened in early 2011.[6]

Route

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The line, 16.6-kilometre long with 21 stations, runs from Comasina to San Donato, entirely underground

Station Name Transfer Opening
Comasina 26 March 2011
Affori FN        
Affori Centro
Dergano
Maciachini 8 December 2003
Zara   16 December 1995
Sondrio 12 May 1991
Centrale FS     3 May 1990
Repubblica          
Turati
Montenapoleone
Duomo  
Missori   (Sforza-Policlinico) 16 December 1990
Crocetta 6 December 1990
Porta Romana
Lodi T.I.B.B.   12 May 1991
Brenta
Corvetto
Porto di Mare
Rogoredo FS        
San Donato

Rolling stock

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Trains use an overhead contact system providing a voltage of 1,500 V DC. The track gauge is of the 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge.

As of 2020, there are two types of rolling stocks being used on the line:

  • The 8000-series, introduced between 1989 and 2003, and divided into three subseries:
    • "Standard" 8000-series - built by a consortium of Breda, Fiat Ferroviaria and OMS, with GTOVVVF inverters made by ABB.
    • "8080" series - built by Socimi, with GTO–VVVF inverters made by Hitachi. Decommissioned.
    • 8100-series - air-conditioned, open gangway version of the older 8000-series, introduced in 2003 for the line's extension to Machiachini.
  • 900 Series "Meneghino", introduced in 2011 for the line's extension to Comasina.

Planned extension

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A southeastern extension of the line has been planned. The new extension will run from San Donato through the municipalities of San Donato Milanese, Peschiera Borromeo, Mediglia, Pantigliate, Settala and finish in Paullo. The extended section will be 14.8 km (9.2 mi) long and has 6 stations. Trains will run mostly underground (60%).[7]

Although the project was approved in 2010, it was put on hold in early 2011 due to lack of funds.[8] Works were postponed to a later date.[9]

Currently there are plans to replace 48 lifts and 52 elevators for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026.[10]

Notes and references

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  1. ^ "Area C rilancia i mezzi pubblici è boom di passeggeri sul metrò". la Repubblica. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  2. ^ Mancebo, Ivanka Garcia. "Milan Metro - Milan metro lines, schedules and prices". www.introducingmilan.com. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  3. ^ Severi, Vasini (1989). Metropolitana di Milano. Milano: Azienda Trasporti Municipali.
  4. ^ "Milano sperimenta il suo terzo metrò". Corriere della Sera. 1 May 1990.
  5. ^ a b "La cronistoria della Metropolitana di Milano". CityRailways. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  6. ^ "Nuove fermate linea 3". Corriere della Sera. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Prolungamento linee Metropolitane e Nodo Interscambio Fiera: Metropolitana linea 3". Comune di Milano. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  8. ^ "Metrò choc, bloccato il prolungamento fino a Paullo". Il Giorno. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Prolungamenti". Metropolitana Milanese. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  10. ^ "Public transport. Metro accessibility, works in M3 to replace 48 elevators and 52 escalators - Municipality of Milan". Comune di Milano. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
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