Southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu began on Wednesday the construction of a subway in a bid to ease the traffic pressure of the city with 11 million people.

The No.1 subway extending 16 km with 15 stations will be put into trial operation in 2010 with a total investment of 7 billion yuan (864.2 million U.S. dollars).

Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, first submitted to the central government a proposal of building subway in December 1992. A related feasibility report of the subway project was approved by the State Development and Reform Commission in November this year.

The city has witnessed worsening traffic due to its huge population and increasing number of motor vehicles, which stands at 1.3 million. Viaducts and underpasses are also being constructed to improve the traffic.

"Chengdu citizens have long expected the building of subway," said an official with the municipal government who didn't want to be named.

According to plan, the rail network in Chengdu will have seven lines with the No.1 line serving as a trunk route.

The overall network will have a total length of 274 km and be finished in 30 years.

Source: Xinhua