Travel between Longgang and downtown Shenzhen will become easier by 2011 following the approval of plans to extend Metro Line 3 and upgrade Shenhui Road.

Work on both projects will now proceed together after proposals passed expert scrutiny. Final design work for Shenhui Road will be completed by the end of this month.

Preparatory work is now under way on the westward extension of Metro Line 3.

When completed in 2011, the new road and the Metro line will make it much easier for residents to travel within Longgang as well as between the suburban district and downtown Shenzhen.

Metro Line 3, in the form of light rail, will be built above Shenhui Road, a major artery in Longgang. The road will consist of four fast lanes and one slow lane in each direction. Seven flyovers, 16 bridges as well as sidewalks will be built for the convenience of pedestrians.

So far, 1.05 billion yuan (US$136 million) has been invested in Metro Line 3. A total of 54 contracts involving 3.88 billion yuan have been signed on the road renovation and Metro projects.

Preparations are under way on the construction of the artery within the special economic zone (SEZ), while negotiations are continuing on the construction contracts for work on the Longgang section, the Nanfang Daily said yesterday. Construction will begin on all sections next month.

"Building Metro Line 3 together with the new Shenhui Road will save a lot on construction expenses," the Daily quoted Zhang Bei, a local official, as saying.

A total of 238 buildings have been demolished to make way for the project. Nearly 400 more will be torn down soon, as their owners have come to agreements on relocation terms.

According to the municipal government's plan, the westward extension of Metro Line 3 needs to be completed by the end of June in 2011, in time for the Universiade whose major venues are in Longgang.

Zhang said the projects are progressing smoothly with well-organized and highly efficient teams taking on the task.

"We invited tenders from both mainland and overseas building and management firms. Nongovernmental investments are welcome for the projects," he said.

A total of 2.2 billion yuan will be invested in Metro Line 3 this year, which will be enough to complete the equipment procurement and initial preparations.

By 2010, some 350,000 vehicles will be running daily between Longgang and downtown districts.

Editor: Donald