Construction workers celebrate after the successful connection of the tunnels for Harbin metro line 2. [Photo/MY399.COM]

The first phase of the new metro line 2 – currently being developed in the city of Harbin, capital of China’s northernmost Heilongljiang province – is expected to complete track laying in early October and start trials at the end of the year, according to a report in the Heilongjiang Daily newspaper.

Officials said the metro line will be the backbone of the Harbin rail transit network from north to southeast, connecting the areas of the south and north banks of the Songhua River.

The line starts from Jiangbei University City Station in Limin Development Zone, passing through such stations as Harbin North Railway Station, Harbin Ice and Snow World Station, Harbin Railway Station, Heilongjiang Museum Station and Heilongjiang Provincial Government Station, before finally arriving at the Meteorological Station in Xiangfang district.

The line has a total length of 28.7 kilometers, with 19 underground stations along the line.

Of these, eight stations can provide transfers for Harbin’s metro lines 1,3, 4, 5, 6 and 8.

Officials said the total investment of the metro line 2 is around 20.49 billion yuan ($2.93 billion).