The city of Wuxi, Jiangsu province held a rail transport meeting on Dec 8 to announce that its Metro Line 3 project and Metro Line 1 southward extension project are to start construction in the first quarter of 2016.

According to the city's rail transport department, Wuxi will vigorously promote metro construction in the next five years. Metro Line 1 and 2 were opened to traffic in July and December 2014. Metro Line 3 and 4 will start construction in 2016 and 2017.

The city's metro daily passenger volume averages over 200,000, with a one-day record of 374,000 passengers. Buildings near metro stations covering a total area of 6 million square meters have developed their business value, benefiting from the convenient transportation.

To ensure metro safety, the city has brought in several leading companies in this field and managed to produce original equipment like shield machines, screen doors and segments.

At the meeting, the city's mayor Wang Quan asked the rail transport department to improve the metro service quality, resource development efficiency and the rail transport industry, to contribute to the city’s modern industrial development.

According to the construction plan, the first-phrase project of Metro Line 4 starts from Liutan Station and ends in Gonghu Avenue Station, and totals 18 stations and 24.4 kilometers.

A metro circuit diagram of Wuxi city. [Photo/wxrb.com]