Medellin slum gets giant outdoor escalator

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Officials in Colombia's second-largest city on Monday have inaugurated a giant, outdoor escalator for residents of one of its poorest slums.

People use the new escalators located in the middle of an outdoors urban zone in Medellin, Colombia

For generations, the 12,000 residents of Medellin's tough Comuna 13, which clings to the side of a steep hillside, have had to climb hundreds of large steps authorities say is the same as going up a 28-story building.
Now they can ride an escalator, in what the mayor of Medellin said is the first massive, outdoor public escalator for use by residents of a poor area.
"It turned out very well," said Mayor Alonso Salazar.
Mr Salazar said officials from Rio de Janeiro plan to visit the Colombiancity to see if such an escalator would work in that city's favelas, which also cling precariously to hillsides.
Comuna 13 residents came out to celebrate and study the $6.7 million escalator which officials say will shorten the 35-minute hike on foot up the hillside to six minutes. Use of the escalator is free.
 
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