12:32 PM
Jalal HB
[ via The News ] 28 Dec
Officials in Colombia's second-largest city inaugurated a giant, outdoor escalator for residents of one of its poorest neighborhoods.
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 Medellin's mayor says is the first massive, outdoor public escalator for use by residents of a poor area.
"It turned out very well," said Mayor Alonso Salazar, adding that he has not heard of any such project elsewhere in this world.
