A C-shaped walkway will be built in Shanghai's financial heart of Lujiazui in Pudong New Area by the end of this year, the Shanghai Morning Post reported today.

Following serveral alterations, the final design was approved and construction has started, the report said.

The walkway will link Lujiazui Station on Line 2, Super Brand Mall and a project by Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. The area is expected to have large crowds of pedestrians. It is also expected to improve vehicle flow and be safer for pedestrians.

People have complained that the area was restricted to vehicles and was difficult to get around, the report said.

The government has long considered an elevated walkway to make up for poor traffic planning. The footbridge will connect to Jin Mao Tower and the Lujiazui Metro Station on Line 14, the report said, citing blueprints.

The ongoing underground construction involves various pipelines. It also affects traffic. Coordination is being carried out to ensure the smooth progress of the project and normal traffic flows.

During an urban planning exhibit on June 12, a project official told Shanghai Daily that construction of the walkway would be completed before 2010. ``The walkways will be 7 meters high and escalators will be installed at the major entrances,'' said Li Junhao, chief engineer of the Shanghai Urban Planning Administrative Bureau.

(Shanghai Daily June 26, 2008)