Beijing will begin construction of its first urban maglev rail next month. The magnetically-elevated track will greatly shorten traffic time between the city's downtown and suburbs, reported the Beijing Times.

The Line S1 spans ten kilometers and eight stations from Mentougou District in west Beijing to Pingguoyuan, the west end of subway Line 1. Once completed, the maglev rail could facilitate transportation between downtown Beijing and the west end.

Local authorities beefed up investments, making plans for leisure, tourist and financial districts.

The project would affect 11 villages. More than 6,000 families will be relocated. Two relocation sites, Shimenying and Shiquan, have already begun construction.

The medium-and-low-speed magnetically-raised track will be China's second maglev rail placed into commercial operation. The first one in Shanghai started running in 2003.

(CRIENGLISH.com November 3, 2010)