Nettlesome traffic jams targeted in new transportation blueprint
Print Edition
THE bad news is that traffic jams remain a headache for everyone in Minhang. The good news is that the district is making headway in addressing the problem.
A new transport plan, recently unveiled, includes the construction of more rapid-transit bus services, more Metro lines and expanded roadways.
The plan was announced by Zhu Zhisong, director of the district, on a radio talk show.
Zhu said traffic congestion is a long-term problem, especially on Humin Road, Xinsong Road and the Puxing Highway, where gridlock can last for hours, especially on rainy days and around holidays.
“The roads are always fully packed during rush hours, much more crowded than some areas of downtown Shanghai,” Zhu said. “That is due to the fact that Minhang is a transport junction linking the downtown with the suburbs. We also have an airport and a high-speed rail station located in our district.”
According to a recent study, 46 percent of the traffic flow in Minhang comes from transit vehicles. The highway net in the district is a hodge-podge at certain points, with too many dead-end roads.
Another key problem is the rapid growth of both population and private vehicle use. In the past 10 years, the population in the district has tripled to 2.5 million, and the number of registered private vehicles has doubled to 365,000.
There are also at least 180,000 vehicles in the district bearing license plates from other cities and provinces.
Zhu said the need to increase public transport services is pressing if the district hopes to relieve the burden on roadways.
The new transit plan calls for current bus routes to be reconfigured to serve burgeoning residential areas, such as the Maqiao Grand Apartment Complex and the Pujiang Apartment Complex.
The Jiangchuan No. 2 bus line and the Pujiang No. 16 bus line will be redirected to cover the two complexes, linking them to the nearest metro line stations.
Inter-zone buses will also be increased in some of the busier communities, such as the Hongqiao business area. Rapid-transit buses will be set up on most major roads to ensure smooth traffic flow during rush hours.
Meanwhile, three Metro lines are under construction in Minhang. They are expected to go into operation in the next three years.
The new lines include extensions to the current Metro lines 5 and 8, stretching them to the Jiangchuan area and Huizhen Road.
A brand new service, Metro Line 15, will have 11 stations in the district and will connect with the Baoshan, Putuo, Changning and Xuhui districts.
By 2018, some roads will be expanded or restructured. The bicycle lane on Gudai Road will be removed to increase through-traffic, and various turning lanes will be expanded on Qixin, Minsong and Nanfu roads.
“With proper measures, we hope to make traffic flow more convenient,” said Zhu. “We don’t expect the problem to be solved in the blink of an eye, but step-by-step, I think we will see conditions improve for the better.”
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