scene of the opening ceremony of construction of Expo Boulevard

Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination

Ding Hao, deputy director the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination

Construction of Expo Boulevard and an elevated pedestrian walk in the Puxi section of the Shanghai World Expo site began yesterday.

The work is part of the boulevard development covering both Puxi and Pudong zones and is the largest project in the Shanghai Expo construction schedule.

design of the Expo Boulevard

The Puxi end of the project involves a 480-meter boulevard and a 920-meter arch-shaped pedestrian walk, both of which are designed to connect entrances of major pavilions and link to shuttle bus stops. It is scheduled to be completed before the end of June next year.

The boulevard will start on the west side of Xizang Road S. in the north and be linked with the Xizang Road S. tunnel to form a complete traffic network. It will serve as the main thoroughfare between Puxi and Pudong sections of the 2010 event.

Workers on the Expo site

Festooned vehicle and fireworks warm up the opening ceremony

0Construction of the boulevard on Pudong side, which started in July last year, will consist of two underground levels and one above ground. It will serve as a transportation and commercial center, including catering and entertainment services.

Greenery and decorative awnings will be installed on the Puxi pedestrian path which will start at Mengzi Road in the west. It will intersect with the boulevard and span part of the Xizang Road Tunnel.

All construction on the 5.28-square-kilometer Expo site is expected to finish by the end of next year, said Ding Hao, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.