ON JUNE 11 Chinese government officials joined Shanghai Mayor Xu Kuang-di to inaugurate the first 16·3 km of the city’s second metro line. This section runs from Zhongshan Park to Long Dong Lu in the suburb of Pudong (RG 1.99 p27). Test running on Line 2 began last October using Line 1 trains, and full revenue services will start later this year.
Also present were representatives from German Shanghai Metro Group, led by Siemens and Adtranz, which has equipped both lines. The DM652m contract for Line 2 awarded in July 1996 covers overhead electrification, power supply and communications as well as 35 six-car trainsets. By the end of May GMSG had delivered 11 sets to augment Line 1 services and four for Line 2.
A second phase of Line 2 is still under construction running northwest to Hongqiao airport; this is due to open by the end of 2002, bringing the line to 26·5 km. Financing for the German contract was provided by Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau.
Tracklaying on Shanghai Line 3 - the so-called Pearl line - was officially completed on May 28. The 25 km ring line is largely elevated, although three of the 19 stations will be at ground level.
- The Chinese city of Shenzhen has completed detailed design of its first metro line, which will run 19·5 km from Lohu to Zhulin at an estimated cost of DM10·6bn. Most of the line will be underground, apart from 0·7 km and a 1·3 km link to the depot.
