Almaty metro line 1 to open in 2009Line 1 of Almaty metro in Kazakhstan has been a long time coming. Started in 1988, some 7 km of tunnel were bored, only to be abandoned when cash ran out. A new government development initiative in 2003 resulted in the redesign of line 1 with a length of 8.56 km and seven stations at Alatau, Tulpar, Baikonur, Abai, Alamaty, Dostyk and Rai'ymbek. Steady progress has been made since 2006 and Line 1 is due to open in 2009. Visit tunnelbuilder archive kz/11. Recently, Kazakhstan became the 53rd member nation of the International Tunnelling Association, with Bayboll Utepbaev of Astana as its inaugural president, tel +7 777 558 3768, e-mail hariyz@rambler.ru 07/09.