Proposal for $900 million metro system of four separate lines to be built over four years. Concession to build and operate sought from municipal administration by private sector consortium. Three of the proposed lines are mainly underground. August 1998.  Officials have travelled to Bilbao to visit the metro in the Basque city. The project includes three underground lines and a surface light rail line. US$60 million first stage includes construction of the Red Line from the harbour to Ejido, where it would connect with the Blue Line. The 15 km line would serve Parque Rodí³, Punta Carretas, and Pocitos. Second stage is extending the Red Line to Estadio Centenario and Hospital de Clí­nicas. Third stage is a further extension to Punta Rieles and the beginning of the Yellow Line from Tres Cruces to Hipí³lito Irigoyen. Then the line will run parallel to Avenida Italia. French company Bceom, RATP and Alstom have already been approached in the past. Total investment of US$900 million. 20/02.