The line is predominately east–west, although between the station at Naguanagua and the terminus at Puerto Cabello the route changes to a north–south direction.  14 tunnels including the Bárbula Tunnel (the longest in South America) and many bridges are required to connect between the various stations along this line. The project is behind schedule. In 2016 work on the Puerto Cabello railway was described as "irregular and marked by slow payments by the client as a result of the country’s poor economic conditions, mainly related to the drop in the price of oil." The new stations under construction are found in:  (*)These 2 are suburban cities of Valencia. Another branch north–south line found mainly in Guarico State that will cross the Orinoco River and enter the Bolívar State. This will start in the capital city of Maracaibo Zulia State nearby the Maracaibo Metro (subway) station. The line will cross the mouth of Lake Maracaibo in a combination tunnel/bridge under construction in an east–west direction and after the El Tablazo stop the line follows a north-north-west to south-south-east direction. The stations are as follows:   This route will start from Ciudad Guyana Bolívar State, the Puerto Ordaz section and cross the Orinoco River to go south–north to reach Maturín, Monagas State and continue till it reaches the Sucre State where the line will run east–west until it reaches the deep sea water port of Manicuare. The completion of an extension of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a north–south line connection between Acarigua, and Turén. The first phase is part of the North Llanero railway axis (northern plains) an east–west line that would provide service to the following cities/towns:   and work was to be completed by 2012. As part of a National Rail Development Plan, the standard gauge Tinaco-Anaco railway, was inaugurated with Chinese funding in 2009. About a fifth of the work had been done by 2012. However, it appears construction stalled in 2013, though the route remains on the State Railways Institution's map of railways under construction . This 7 km long branch independent of all other rail systems is for recreational purposes only. Mainly is to provide entertainment for tourists, these enchanted sights must be viewed by all. Originally this summit section was part of the Great Venezuela Railway (180 km in length) built in 1909 and operated until after 1937.