The construction of 10 major infrastructure projects will begin this month in Beijing, with investment mostly focused on southwestern downtown Beijing and projects for ecological conservation, the local government said yesterday.

Liu Yinchun, deputy director of Beijing municipal commission of development and reform, said the 10 projects cost a total of 19.6 billion yuan (US$2.9 billion), of which 10.4 billion yuan would be spent this year.

The projects include construction of expressways such as the Puhuangyu expressway, linking the third and fifth ring roads, in southern downtown Beijing, and the renovation of No 111 national highway in Huairou district.

In addition, a number of water conservation projects - including a canal and a reservoir supporting the mammoth south-to-north water transfer project and renovation and two sewage disposal plants - will be started.

The construction of three riverside forest parks, in Tongzhou, Miyun and Yanqing, will begin this month, with an investment of 1.2 billion yuan this year.

Liu said Beijing will focus on 59 major infrastructure projects, including 33 new ones this year, with a total investment of 70 billion yuan. Of these, work on 10 began during the first quarter.

The Puhuangyu expressway is expected to boost the development of a comprehensive business district in southwestern downtown Beijing, said Fengtai district government chief You Guangbin.

Fengtai district government is kicking off the construction of a business district, combining shopping, hotels, catering and entertainment this year.

"The proposed business center and the Beijing railway station south division will together drive the economic development of southern downtown Beijing," he said.

The district will cover nearly 15 hectares along the Subway Line 5, with a construction area of 653,900 sq m.

(China Daily April 17, 2009)