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Construction of Beijing Light Railway Begins
Beijing began construction on the 20 km-long western section of its first light railway Tuesday. This is the first phase of a 40.5-km light. It will links Xizhimen, northwest of the city proper, and Huilongguan, north suburb, which is scheduled to be completed in 2002.
The whole project is expected to be finished in 2005, in time for the 2008 Olympic Games, in which Beijing is bidding for.
Cost of the whole light railway is estimated at 5.864 billion yuan (approximately 708 million U.S. dollars).
The light railway is designed to travel at 80 km per hour. The project will allow residents living in the northern suburbs of Beijing more convenience when traveling.
Light rail is a high-speed, safe, pollution-free transportation method with a large passenger capacity. It will help Beijing alleviate cumbersome road transportation and establish a multi-dimensional traffic system, experts say.
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