Six consortia prequalified to build 6 km underground line to run parallel with Line 1 and connect Capuchinos and Plaza Venezuela. Nov 1998.   Contract award to Consorcio de Brasil, led by Odebrecht, which bid US$101 million for the first phase of Line 4 consisting of 5 km of track with four stations. November 1999.   First phase with four stations will link Capuchinos on Line 2 with Plaza Venezuela III on Line 3, relieving the central section of Line 1. Civil engineering work will be undertaken by Norberto Odebrecht of Brazil, which bid US$101.2 million. The second phase of Line 4 will run southeast from Plaza Venezuela to El Cafetal, bringing the length to 12.4 km. Caracas Metro hopes to complete this extension by 2010. December 1999.  Excavation start on 6th December, 2001 of TBM-driven Plaza Venezuela-Capuchinos section on Line 4 by contractor Odrebrecht. Four new stations in Plaza Venezuela, Parque Central, Nuevo Circo, and Teatros. Expected daily speed of 14 metres. Completion in December 2003. Cost of US$460 million. Second phase extension planned between Plaza Venezuela and Parque del Este, for US$600 million. Also under construction is a 380 m tunnel driven by traditional means to join Line 4 and Line 2 in Capuchinos. Visit www.metrodecaracas.com.ve 51/01.