Dig Tunnels and Resist Traffic Congestion

With Beijing’s chronic traffic problems at ground level, city developers are planning on going underground as development continues around the CBD, according to today’s bjnews.com.cn. The plan includes the expansion of rapid transit bus lines to the more daunting creation of underground tunnels for both cars and pedestrians.

The proposed plan consists of five main elements. Some of the more substantial undertakings include an additional subway line (Line 17) that will run under Guanghua Lu. It will intersect with lines 5, 2, and 4, though there is no mention of where it will extend to at either its eastern or western end.

In an effort to remove cars from the road – at least on ground level – there will be an underground Second Ring Road tunnel carrying cars clockwise beneath the city. After cars get underground, they will supposedly be able to reach every parking lot in the CBD area. Three entry-exit points are planned, as well as two additional underground road tunnels: one near the East Third Ring Road, and the other through Jianguo Lu to the south bank of the Tonghui River.

On a lesser scale, the government intends to create a network of pedestrian passageways under the CBD, as well as six thousand new parking spots in multi-level underground lots. The overall lofty proposal is rounded out with the anticlimactic plan to add a stop to the Rapid Transit Bus Route 1 at Jianguomen.