Shenzhen would spend a total of 387.9 billion RMB (57 billion USD) over three years on 242 projects with the aim of boosting consumption and promoting stable economic development, a government notice said yesterday (Oct 21).

The projects include highways, housing, hospitals and public health facilities. The largest spending would be on 10 Metro projects, which will cost a total of 69 billion RMB.

One of the highlights will be a passage between Shenzhen and Zhongshan. A key project listed in the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020) released by the State earlier this year, the link will facilitate transport between eastern and western Guangdong.

Experts had suggested an underwater tunnel between Zhongshan and Shenzhen.

Two other highlighted projects include the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Eastern Passage, which will run from the proposed Liantang Checkpoint in eastern Shenzhen to Heung Yuen Wai in northern Hong Kong.

Engineering works for the project will start in 2013 to ensure the checkpoints open on schedule in 2018.

The other is the 89-kilometer Guangzhou-Shenzhen Yanjiang Expressway. The first phase will be completed by October 2012.