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The economic and demographic expansion of Beijing has resulted in
the development of a sprawling city of over 12 million people, many
of whom deal daily with a transportation infrastructure that was designed
to support a city with a much smaller population. The increased traffic
flow, urban development and growing image of Beijing as an international
city have added even more pressure to this infrastructure.
 In
September 1999, the final phase of the Fuxingmen to Bawangfen subway
line was completed. This line, a 13.5 km east-west subway route
with twelve stations that covers the major commercial areas of the
city, was completed with the assistance of over RMB 2 billion in
funding provided by the Bank, which helped ensure that the project
would be completed in time for the celebration of the 50th anniversary
of the People's Republic of China.
The project spanned ten years, and is expected to greatly relieve traffic
congestion and pollution problems which plague the city, as well as
improve the quality of life in general for the thousands of residents
who rely on this mode of transportation. Beijing will be a quieter,
cleaner city as a result of this project.
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