December 01, 2000 (BNamericas.com) - Mexico"s government inaugurated yesterday extensions to Mexico City"s Line B subway (Metro) system amid allegations the line was unsafe, Excelsior (Mexico) reported. Metro workers threatened earlier in the week not to work on the new line until it had received special safety accreditation. However, French engineering company Systra that worked on the project gave the launch the thumbs up, a government spokesperson said. "We inaugurated the line because we have faith in the engineers who built it." The 10.2km extension runs from Villa de Aragon to Ciudad Azteca in Ecatepec municipality. The number of people using the line is expected to increase to 300,000 daily from 130,000 at present. Works began six years ago and cost US$572.8mn. Outgoing President Ernesto Zedillo did not, contrary to expectations, attend the opening ceremony. Business News Americas (BNamericas.com)