Second Phase of Metro Line 18 Set to Open

Shanghai's Metro Line 18 Phase II is scheduled to open by the end of December, following the completion of pre-operation safety checks, Metro authorities said on Monday.

The extension includes six underground stations in Baoshan District. Five stations – Tongnan Road, West Changjiang Road, Aihui Road, Hulan Road and Kangwen Road – are scheduled to open first. Construction and safety checks for South Jiangyang Road Station have been completed but it will not open now due to ongoing urban projects nearby, the Metro operator said.

Once operational, the extension will link Kangwen Road with the existing Line 18 at South Changjiang Road (an interchange with Line 3), cutting travel time between the two points to about 15 minutes and enabling direct transit between Baoshan and the Pudong New Area.

Historically, the Metro network in Baoshan District has been north-south oriented.

The new phase addresses this by adding a vital east-west route, anchored by a seamless, in-station transfer with Line 1 at Hulan Road and provisions for a future interchange with the under-construction Line 19 at South Jiangyang Road.

"The new section links residential and industrial areas, including Songnan, Zhangmiao and Miaohang, offering more commuting options for workers in nearby business parks," said Li Chao, a deputy general manager at Shanghai Shentong Metro Construction Group.

The project also incorporates a range of design features into station architecture.

Architect Yu Wenhuan with the Shanghai University Architectural Design Institute said the stations follow the open-ceiling approach used on Line 18's first phase, allowing easier maintenance and creating a less enclosed environment for passengers.

Each station along the extension adopts a tailored design approach. At Tongnan Road Station, for instance, a wall installation draws inspiration from Songnan egg carving, a local intangible cultural heritage craft.