A total of 100 Shenzhen residents accompanied Vice Mayor Lu Ruifeng on an inspection tour of newly completed reconstruction projects yesterday in order to get a better understanding of such projects.

The annual event, started by the municipal administration bureau in 1996, is expected to improve communication and understanding between the public and the bureau, said Song Jianchun, vice director general of the bureau.

He said it is necessary for the public to have a clear picture of why such projects are necessary, and the impact they will have.

The bureau explained to the public yesterday the need for the Shennan Thoroughfare renovation project, which was completed at the end of April, seven months after the project began.

The project covered 25 kilometers of the road and was controversial as it caused traffic jams. Some commuters complained they had been stranded on the road for hours.

"We expect local drivers to benefit from some 4.5-percent cut on their gasoline bill with a brand-new Shennan Thoroughfare," Song said.

The bureau also sought the views of residents on other road reconstruction projects, including the renovation of the busy Shangbu and Meilin roads in Futian District.

"You never know the difficulty to find a balance between launching reconstruction projects and reducing the inconvenience brought to people until trying the work yourself," said a resident surnamed Liu.

Editor: Yan