Construction of the first cross-sea metro line in Shandong province - Qingdao metro line M1, with an investment of over 34.9 billion yuan ($568.9 million), is expected to begin next year, and is scheduled to be completed in 2017, Qingdaonews.com reported.

The route will run 60.1 kilometers, and will include 38 stops underground and 1 on a bridge.

The municipal environment protection bureau issued its evaluation report in May on the possible effects of the project on the environment, and preliminary work then began.

Edited by Michael Thai, Li Xiaoliang and Gao Yuan