Beijing began construction of its first 18.9 kilometer-long elevated light railway Monday.

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 kilometer-long railway will link Xizhimen and Dongshimen.

Currently, Beijing has opened 55.5 kilometers of urban railway transportation.
Light rail is a high-speed, safe and clean transportation method with a large passenger capacity. It will help Beijing ease transport congestion and establish multi-dimensional traffic system.

(China Daily 12/19/2000)