Guangzhou, China's major southern gate to the outside world, is considering construction of its third and fourth subways in the city.

In an interview, Lu Guanglin, general manager of the Subway Corporation of Guangzhou City, said that the building of a fast-speed track transport network in the forthcoming ten years has been included in the city's plan.

According to the plan, the projected network will consist of the city's first, second, third and fourth subways and the upgraded highway connecting the new international airport that will be relocated to Huadu City, which falls under jurisdiction of Guangzhou City, capital of Guangdong Province. The network will be extended by 129.4 km.

Lu disclosed that they have finished a feasibility study on the third subway and have submitted the project to higher administrative departments for approval. It is expected that the project will start construction late next year.

In accordance with a design, the third subway will be a large-capacity, fast-speed trunk line, with the maximum speed of 120 km per hour, compared to the current maximum speed of 80 km per hour for the first subway.

Lu added that they will conduct pre-stage preparations for the fourth subway next year.

The first subway in Guangzhou is 18.48 km in length. It has been in operation since June last year. The operation revenues on the first subway will reach 190 million yuan (approximately US$22.89 million) this year.

The second subway has been under construction. With a planned length of 23.27 km, the second subway will be ready for operation in 2003.

(Eastday.com 12/06/2000)