Xinzhuang Metro station to become transport hub

A major redevelopment project is set to get under way this month to transform Xinzhuang Metro station in Minhang District into a traffic hub and commercial center, Shanghai's city government said Tuesday.

The current terminus for subway lines 1 and 5 will over the next six years become a 700,000 square meter complex, as well as linking to the Shanghai-Hangzhou and Jinshan mainline railways, it said.

Above ground, three commercial buildings, a hotel and three high-end residential buildings will be built on the south side of the existing station. They are set for completion in 2016.

Underground will see the creation of 200,000 square meters of parking. The three-level facility will have room for 3,000 cars and should open in 2018.

The existing bus station will be retained but expanded.

"This is a complicated project because it involves subway, bus and railway stations, and commercial areas all in one," said project manager He Binru.

The project is slated to finish in 2020, he said, adding that Metro services will be unaffected.