METRO Line 5 is set to become the first in the city to cross the Huangpu River above ground.

Construction of the 19.5-kilometer southern section of the line began yesterday. Once completed it will run from Dongchuan Road Station in Minhang District to Nanqiao New City in Fengxian District.

Half of its eight stations will be underground and the others elevated. At the river, the line will travel along the two-deck Minhang No. 2 Bridge. One deck will carry the subway, the other ordinary traffic. Line 5 now runs from Xinzhuang Road to the Minhang Development Zone. The extension is scheduled for completion in 2017.