Construction on China's first intercity subway, which will connect Guangzhou and Foshan in Guangdong Province, got underway on Thursday.

 

The new subway will start from Lijiao in the city of Guangzhou and run westward through Haizhu and Liwan districts of the provincial capital, and end at Kuiqi Road in Foshan after passing through Chancheng and Nanhai districts of Foshan, according to Ding Jianlong, chairman of the board of Guangzhou-Foshan Track Transport Co. Ltd.

 

At 32.16 km long the subway will have 21 stops, of which, 10 will be within Guangzhou. It will also connect to four other subways in Guangzhou. It is designed to accommodate trains traveling at a maximum speed of 80 km per hour.

 

Guangzhou-Foshan subway will cost 14.67 billion yuan, of which Guangzhou will invest 51 percent while Foshan will cover 49 percent. The provincial government is also providing subsidies for the project.

 

The new subway will be finished and put into service late 2012.

 

The subway will cut travel time between Guangzhou and Foshan from two hours to 49 minutes.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2007)