A view of Wuxi metro line 1. [Photo/IC]

The construction plan of the third phase of Wuxi's rail transit system was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission on Nov 24.

According to the plan, a total of 59.8 kilometer of rail transit, including the second phase of line 4, line 5 and the first phase of line 6, will be built in the next five years.

The second phase of line 4 will add another 8.6 kilometers to the line. It will start from Expo Center Station and end at the Xishi Road Station, passing along Zhengze Road and Xinhua Road.

With 5.93 billion yuan ($927.58 million) in investment, construction on the second phase of line 4 is expected to take four years to complete.

A plan map of the third phase of Wuxi's rail transit system. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxifabu2013]

The 28.9-km metro line 5 will start from Tang City Station and end at Xinyun Road Station.

The line will cover many places with large passenger flow, such as Lihu New City, Wuxi Sports Center, Nanchan Temple, Nanchang Street, Wangzhuang, and Meicun town. It will work as an important east-west transport line passing Binhu district, Liangxi district, and Xinwu district.

Construction of line 5 is expected to take about six years. The line is also expected to link to the metro system in Suzhou to promote the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region.

The 22.36-km metro line 6 will start from Gonghuwan Wetland Park Station and end at Guangyuan Road Station, connecting the city's downtown with developing areas like Wuxi Economic Development Zone.

Passengers taking metro line 6 will be able to transfer to line 1 and line 2 at Sanyang Plaza Station.