Three new Metro lines are poised to begin operations in Shenzhen this year, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.

They are the westward extension of Line 5, Phase II of Line 16, and Phase II of the Line 6 spur line.

The westward extension of Line 5 is 2.88 kilometers long and has three stations — Hubei Station, Dongmen Station, and Grand Theater Station. Passengers can transfer to lines 1 and 2 at Grand Theater Station.

Phase II of the Line 6 spur line runs from Guangming Station to Guangming City Station, with a total length of 4.944 kilometers and three stations.

Phase II of Line 16 in Longgang District extends 9.54 kilometers with eight stations.

By the close of last year, Shenzhen’s operational Metro network had expanded to 595.1 kilometers.

There are currently 250.24 kilometers of Metro lines under construction, according to the city’s transport authorities.

By 2028, Shenzhen’s cumulative operational Metro network will span 831 kilometers.

By 2030, Shenzhen plans to complete 26 railway projects, including seven high-speed rail lines and nine intercity rail connections, achieving a service coverage of over 1,000 kilometers. This strategic expansion aims to enable seamless half-hour direct connections between Shenzhen’s urban area and key cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one-hour travel between major GBA cities, and three-hour commutes between major GBA cities and capitals in neighboring provinces.

Meanwhile, the Shenzhen Outer Ring Expressway is expected to commence operations by the end of 2028.

Starting from the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Riverside Expressway, the project will traverse Bao’an, Guangming, and Longhua districts in Shenzhen, Dongguan City, and Shenzhen’s Longgang and Pingshan districts as well as Dapeng New Area before merging with the Yanba Expressway.

To connect with 10 other expressways in Shenzhen, the project will help alleviate east-west traffic pressure on Shenzhen’s outer areas, reducing congestion on the Jihe Expressway and Nanping Expressway.