Changsha city government announced on 10 February that the first phase of its urban light rail system costing Rmb22.2bn would start construction this year. Approved in mid January by the State Council, the first and second lines will be completed by 2015. The government has already set up Changsh Light Rail Transport Corporation to own the project and a construction management commission.

In another development, Wuhan has started building a 3km-long tunnel under the Yangtze, which will form part of the city’s second metro line. The project will take just over three years to complete.

Changsha is located on the Xiangjiang River, a Yangtze tributary, and is an important feeder port to Wuhan.