At the end of August, two dark green lanes for non-automobile vehicles, each totaling 1.8 kilometers, will link Fudan and Tongji, Shanghai's two prestigious universities in the northeast area, becoming the city's longest colored road.

With a total area of 10,000 square meters, the two lanes will be from 2.2 to 2.5 meters wide, costing 3 million yuan, according to director surnamed Sun with Yangpu District's urban construction bureau.

On the lanes, there will be added white signs for cyclists, he said.

"We plan to color the lanes in June, because the work requires temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius," he said, adding, "and we expect the project will be finished at the end of August."

Because of stronger friction, the colored lanes are safer for student bicyclers to ride on between the two universities, Sun pointed out.

As well, the friendly green color will protect the eyes of the riders.

Despite the advantages, it's too early to expand the colored roads throughout the city, industry insiders said, because the colored roads are three times more expensive to build than normal ones.

(Shanghai Daily May 8, 2005)