New look to celebrate anniversary
With key infrastructure projects advancing well, Chongqing has taken on a new look.
The municipality, which had one expressway and three railway lines just 10 years ago, has developed a widespread transportation network, with an extended expressway and six railway lines. In addition, four expressways and three railway lines are either under or about to begin construction.
The Chongqing municipal government launched a construction scheme last July to celebrate the 10th anniversary of being upgraded into a municipality governed directly by the central government.
The construction scheme comprises 30 key projects with about 300 schemes, which include extending a transportation network, adding green belts and revamping urban amenities.
Ten projects are concerned with building and renovating roads and bridges. Among them is a bridge over Jialing River.
Construction of the initial stage of the bridge project, extending 4,350 meters long, started at the end of 2004 and the bridge is expected to become operational in June.
The bridge is expected to ease the traffic jams that currently plague the municipality and strengthen its sustainable growth.
Ten other projects are aimed at improving the quality of the municipality's ecological environment and revamping its image.
Under these schemes, the municipal government will upgrade sanitation facilities, manage outdoor advertisement boards, add green belts and decorate street lamps.
The remaining 10 projects in the scheme have an even closer connection with local residents, in that they include low-income housing programs, overpass planning, back lane renovation and construction of other public projects such as parks and a library.
This year will also see construction begin on an art museum. The library, reported to be the biggest in Southwest China, covers 50,000 square meters and expected to open in June.
(China Daily 03/29/2007 page18)
