Luis Holguin, accompanied by his daughter Resfa, finds it much easier to move around the district with the help of the escalator, which is free for people to useA huge outdoor escalator has been erected in one of the poorest districts of Colombia's second largest city.
For generations 12,000 people living in Medellin's tough Comuna 13 - which clings to a hillside - have had to made the arduous journey up hundreds of large steps, which is the equivalent to climbing up a 28-storey building.
But now a giant outdoor escalator will cut their journey from 35-minutes to just six, and grateful residents have said 'it is a dream come true'.
The escalator, which has now cut journey times from 35-minutes to six, is divided into six sections so people from all parts of the hillside can access itThe escalator is 384 metres (1,260ft) long but is divided into six sections so people living on all parts of the hillside have easy access to it.
It cost just over £4million to construct and looks out of place among the dilapidated shantytown homes but is one of several projects taking place in the city.
Mayor Alonso Salazar said the authorities were pleased with the final result and added that he believed the outdoor escalator it was the first of its kind in the world.
People living in the town have had to trek up hundreds of steps which is the equivalent to a 28-storey building but can now use an escalator instead
A general view of the escalators at Comuna 13 in Medellin. The project has proved so popular officials from Brazil will visit to see if they could be useful there
The modern-looking escalators, which cost just over £4million, look out of place among the dilapidated shantytown homesHe also said officials from Rio de Janeiro plan to visit to see if a similar project would be suitable for the city's favelas, which also cling precariously to hillsides.
Resident Olga Holguin, who husband Luis (pictured top) is on crutches, said she was one of the first people to take a ride up the escalator, which is free for people to use.
'It's wonderful, it's a dream come true,' she said. Authorities said they now plan to build a cover which would shield people against inclement weather.
Comuna 13 has been plagued by urban violence over the years but latest records show crime is on the decline and it is hoped regeneration projects will further help.
Mr Salazar added: 'We hope this social package will help it move forward.'
People make use of the outdoor escalators while workmen carry out the finishing touches. Covers will now be built to shield users from inclement weathersource: dailymail
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