Southward Extension of the Changping Metro Line of Beijing Sees Its Phase I Open to Traffic

On Feb. 4th, the phase I of the southward-extended part of the Changping Line of Beijing with surveying and design general contracting undertaken by UCD was officially open to traffic. The line has been extended from the Qinghe Station of the existing line down to Xitucheng Station in the south, stretching a mileage in operation totaling 9.7 kilometers. The extended line will go into operation in connection with the existing Changping Line to boost the effective enhancement of the accessibility and convenience of the urban rail transit networks in Beijing. To date, there have been 27 urban rail transit lines in Beijing, with the total mileage coming to 807 kilometers.

There are five stations along the extended line, including Xiaoyingqiao Station, Xuezhiyuan Station, Liudaokou Station, Xueyuanqiao Station and Xitucheng Station, with transfer to be made at Liudaokou Station to Line 15 and at Xitucheng Station to Line 10. The line connects with such priority functional and residential areas as Qinghe, Shangdi, Xueyuanqu, Beitaipingzhuang and Beixiaguan, thus effectively easing the north-south traffic pressure in north of Beijing and playing an important role in providing passengers with more travel routes, escalating travel efficiencies and improving service levels. In the future, the line will still be extended southward to one more station of Jimenqiao to realize the transfer to Line 12 under construction to further widen the service of the Changping Line, to increase the numbers of lines in central urban area and to strengthen the transport capacity of rail transit networks.

There is a cluster of colleges and universities around the stations along the extended line in Changping and the area is an important zone of culture and education of Beijing. When designed, the overall decoration of the extended line was focused on the theme of“Roads to Institutions of Higher Learning”featuring on the design concept of“New Town + Ancient Rhyme”for all stations along the existing Changping Line to foster a metro line with“Preppy Style”with diligent care. Passengers can also find such elements full of historical profoundity as red-brick walls, old school gates and city walls at all stations along the extended line.