Beijing began construction of its first 18.9 km-long elevated light railway today.
It will link Bawangfen, east of the city proper, and Tongzhou, an eastern suburb, which is scheduled to be completed in 2002, with 27.5 minutes of one-way operating time.
Beijing started construction of its first light railway in September this year, the 40.5 km-long railway will link Xizhimen and Dongzhimen.
Currently, Beijing has opened 55.5 km of urban railway transportation.
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.
(Xinhua 12/19/2000)
