Work on Expo park in Shanghai going smoothly, senior official

SHANGHAI, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Construction of projects at Expo park in Shanghai is progressing smoothly and rapidly, with the park's landscape "ever changing", organizers of the cultural gala said Wednesday.

Hong Hao, director-general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, told Xinhua Wednesday that 95 percent of organizers-undertaken projects, including both permanent and temporary exhibition halls and facilities, for the Expo park, had been completed. Work on the entrances and exits of the park, green plots, shields and fountains, and signs and sculptures are now in the final stage, according to Hong.

Xi Qunfeng, head of the engineering department of the bureau said approximately 30,000 construction workers were working at the site, and of them, 4,000 were helping with the exhibition arrangements.

Up to date, 29 roads with a total length of 35 kilometers and 6.5-km-long elevated pedestrian passages have been built inside the Expo park. A total of 13,600 trees have been planted for the park site, according to organizers.

Meanwhile, two cross-river vehicle tunnels and special rail lines for the Expo would be open to traffic soon, organizers added.

Jose Freches, France commissioner general for the 2010 Expo, said construction on the Expo park was highly efficient.

The 2010 World Expo will be held from May 1 to Oct. 31 in Shanghai, expected to attract an record total of 70 million visitors.