BEIJING - More sections of the metro line 8, which will run north and south through Beijing, will start operation in 2018, local authorities said Monday.

The section to be operational this year is between Zhushikou and Yinghai, stretching 16.4 km. Passengers can also change to line 7, line 10 and line 14 at interchange stations.

Line 8 extends for a total of about 50 km and will run between Zhuxinzhuang and Yinghai once the construction is complete. The metro line passes a number of attractions, such as Wangfujing, a busy commercial street; Shichahai, a famous bar area; Qianmen Street and the National Art Museum of China.

Construction of the line began in 2005 and three years later, the first phase was finished to serve the Beijing Olympic Games. Now the section between Zhuxinzhuang and Nanluoguxiang, a popular hutong in city center, are in service.

Beijing has taken measures to ease traffic congestion in the city by building more subway lines. By the end of 2017, the city's metro system measured 608 km. By the end of 2018, the system will be extended to 630 km. Beijing now has 22 metro lines.