SHENZHEN’S Metro could stretch 422.4 kilometers by 2020, nearly five times as long as the current Hong Kong Metro, the municipal urban planning bureau said yesterday (July 9).
In its draft plan, the urban planning bureau proposes to build 245.4 kilometers of Metro lines from 2011 to 2020, the third phase of the city’s huge Metro network project.
The bureau is seeking public opinions on the 107-billion-yuan (US$13.89-billion) plan through its official Web site www.szplan.gov.cn. Public opinions can be received by Aug. 10.
The city government has vowed to build 177 kilometers of Metro lines by June 30, 2011, by the time the city holds the 26th Universiade.
If the new plan is approved, the city’s total length of Metro lines will reach 422.4 kilometers by 2020, nearly five times the length of Hong Kong’s current Metro.
Eight Metro lines, including some above-ground light rail lines, will be built between 2011 and 2020, according to the draft plan.
If approved, the Metro lines would greatly improve access between the Special Economic Zone and Bao’an District, and within Bao’an itself.
The eight lines include: a 7.3-km above-ground line linking Qinghu and Guanlan in Bao’an District, a 37.2-km above-ground line linking Longhua New Town and Songgang in Bao’an District, a 28.9-km subway linking Buxin in Luohu District and Xili in Nanshan District, a 25.9-km line linking central Luohu and Xiaomeisha Beach, a 17.8-km line linking Luohu Railway Station and Shangsha in Futian District, a 42.2-km line linking Shekou and Songgang in Bao’ao District, a 49.7-km line running through Futian, Nanshan and Bao’an, and a 36.4-km line linking the new towns in Longgang.
Shenzhen only has 22 kilometers of Metro lines at present, all within the Special Economic Zone.