Meanwhile, work on the overpass at the intersection of Luoshan and Longyang roads in Pudong District, designed to ease the expected heavy traffic flow caused by the shifting of all international flights from Hongqiao airport to Pudong International Airport, also began on Saturday.

The 31.1-kilometer Pu-dong section of the highway, from the Wusong tunnel in the north to Yingbin Boulevard in the south, took 10 years to build and the district government pumped in 3.42 billion yuan (US$412 million) - the largest infrastructure investment since Pudong was created.

"This part, together with the 64-kilometer Puxi portion finished last December, has laid a firm foundation for the city's highway network," said Executive Vice Mayor Han Zheng. "In three to five years, the highway grid, with three circular roads, (including a Middle Ring Road), in the urban area, is expected to be built."

A 100-meter-wide green-belt along the highway will also come up soon, forming a "great green wall" circling the urban city, he added.

The complete Outer Ring Road will cost 20 billion yuan, linking three existing expressways connecting Shanghai with out-of-town areas, as well as forming a border between urban and suburban areas.

The new Pudong section, which includes 11 over-passes and about 40 bridges, has eight lanes.

Elsewhere, the three-story overpass at the intersection of Luoshan and Longyang roads is estimated to cost 460 million yuan, and will link the Inner Ring and Outer Ring roads. It will be ready by next year's end.

(eastday.com October 28, 2002)