Subway line 4 to open in 2009

(BEIJING, March 19) -- On Tuesday, the last portion of subway line 4 in Beijing, around the Majiapo stop, started undergoing construction. This means that this subway line, which brings travelers north to south (and vice versa), will be completed soon.

The Majiapo section of line four constitutes the southern half of the line. The portion is 832 meters in length and 336 meters in width and takes up 28.8 hectares, which includes 71,500 square meters of construction area.

Of the 30 projects included in the subway line, Tuesday's was marked with work on the comprehensive administration building located on the south side of this length of subway. All projects are expected to be completed by 2009.

Subway line 4 will service Fengtai District, Xuanwu District, Xicheng District, and Haidian District. The southernmost stop is located in Fengtai District while the northernmost stop is located in Haidian District. The entire length of the subway line is 28.18 kilometers and is dotted with 24 stops, 4 of which are transfer stations for lines 1, 2, 10, and 13.

At present, 85% of the entire subway line has been completed and 15 of the stops have already begun equipment and electric installations. Trial runs will start in June of next year, and if all goes according to plan, by September 28, 2009, trains will officially begin traveling on the line.