The new-look Engenho de Dentro train station opposite the Rio 2016 Olympic Stadium has been opened by the city’s train operator SuperVia ©SuperVia/Rio 2016

The new-look Engenho de Dentro train station opposite the Rio 2016 Olympic Stadium has been opened by the city’s train operator SuperVia.

Alterations to the train station include the construction of a new mezzanine area with five elevators, new access ramps outside the station, refurbished bathrooms and new paving on the platforms.

It is expected that half of the spectators travelling to the Olympic Stadium by train will get off at Engenho de Dentro.

The Stadium, nicknamed Engenhão locally due to its location in the Engenho de Dentro neighbourhood and also known as the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, will host the athletics and football competitions during next month’s Games.

"The renovation has doubled the capacity of the station which can now accommodate 26,000 passengers a day," SuperVia chairman José Carlos Prober said.

The station’s facelift is part of a larger project to redevelop six train stations around Olympic venues.

Three other stations - Ricardo de Albuquerque, Magalhães Bastos and Vila Militar - have already been renovated, while renovated São Cristóvão and Maracanã stations are due to unveiled before the start of the Olympics on August 5.

The Engenho de Dentro train station is opposite Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Stadium ©Getty Images
The Engenho de Dentro train station is opposite Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Stadium ©Getty Images

The operation of Rio’s new light railway network, the VLT, has also been expanded.

The city-centre service now runs between the intercity bus station Novo Rio and Santos Dumont airport.

Passengers can currently travel for free on the trams, which run from Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm.

During the Olympic Games, service will run from 6am to midnight.

Last month, Rio de Janeiro interim State Governor Francisco Dornelles admitted the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics could be a "big failure" if appropriate arrangements are not made regarding security and transport plans.

Dornelles, speaking in an interview with Olympics-rightsholders Globo, insisted that a "great Olympics" remains possible, but only if specific steps are taken.

A 26-kilometre road between the Rio 2016 Olympic clusters in Barra and Deodoro was inaugurated earlier this week. 

Named the Transolímpica, the road has been touted as key to cutting journey times between major Olympic locations for athletes, fans and officials.

Journey times between Deodoro and Recreio to the west of Barra are expected to be reduced by 60 per cent.