The first phase of a construction project in the city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province on its Metro Line 2 is scheduled to start in the second half of this year, Harbin Daily reported on May 29, noting that it is 28.6 kilometers long from north to southeast.

The line has 19 stations in five districts – Hulan, Songbei, Daoli, Nangang and Xiangfang -- and will pass across Lines 1 and 3 to form a criss-cross and circular network and is expected to help ease traffic congestion above ground and improve air quality.

The project will cost about 20.5 billion yuan ($3.29 billion) and use a BOT (build-operate-transfer) model to bring in more capital for infrastructure.

The mayor, Song Xibin, and the vice-mayor, Cong Keming, took part in a signing ceremony for the BOT investment agreement, on May 28. The line is scheduled for completion in 2020.