Guangzhou to Build Third Subway LineThe Guangzhou No.3 subway line will begin construction in 2002, and it is expected to be completed and put into service in 2007.The announcement on the new subway was made on December 19 by Guo Xiling, director of Development Planning Commission of Guangzhou City, at the 21st meeting of the Standing Committee of the 11th Guangzhou City People's Congress. According to Guo, the third subway line will cost 15.9 billion yuan (US$1.92 billion). The city government of Guangzhou will raise 9.6 billion yuan (US$1.16 billion) of the total investment required, while the China Construction Bank Guangzhou Branch has promised to provide a 6.3 billion yuan (US$759 million) long-term loan. A series of pre-stage work for the third subway line has been completed. A feasibility study report for the new subway line is expected to be finished in the first half of next year and the preliminary designs of the new subway line will be completed in the second half of next year. The State Development Planning Commission has entrusted the China International Engineering Consulting Company to assess the project in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province. The third subway line is projected to have a length of 34.7 km, with a maximum speed of 120 km. On completion of the third subway, together with the first and second lines, Guangzhou will be blessed with a track network extending 76.4 km long and capable of daily handling 3.7 million arrivals and departures. Guangdong Province was selected to pilot the country's reform and opening-up drive in late 1970s and has been a money making cradle ever since. |
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