Shanghai Railway Station will close its north square on June 10 for a renovation project that will make it easier for commuters to transfer between bus and subway routes.

Passengers can still use south square entrance starting on Tuesday while the railway authority will move 16 bus stops from the north square to allow for the two-year renovation project, Labor Daily reported today.

The 4.3-billion-yuan (US$620 million) project includes an extension of road networks and a central plaza near the north square.

The central plaza will have two stories each above and beneath the ground. Part of its 2nd floor will serve as an overpass for commuters, according to previous reports.

The overpass will extend eastward to Metro Line 3 and 4 stations at Datong Road. It will also connect to a long-haul bus station.

The first underground floor will be an underpass that connects the railway and subway systems to a long-haul bus station. The second underground floor will serve as a parking lot for up to 500 vehicles.

The project also aims to improve road conditions near Zhongxing Road, the only street that leads to the square.

Shanghai Railway Station serves about 350,000 passengers every day. The number is expected to rise 30 percent during World Expo 2010.

(Shanghai Daily June 4, 2008)