A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Jinan-Qingdao high-speed network at the Qingdaobei railway station in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, on Dec 26, 2018. [Photo/IC]

East China's Shandong province resumed construction on key transportation projects on Feb 10 in order to ensure stable economic and social development amidst the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, or NCP.

According to a video conference held on Feb 10 by the Shandong Provincial Government, this year the province has set a record in terms of both the number and size of its transportation projects.

Ling Wen, vice governor of Shandong province, said that Shandong plans to invest 184.2 billion yuan ($26.4 billion) into transportation construction in 2020. It will advance construction on 23 expressways which are currently in progress and start construction on five new ones.

Ling added that this year Shandong will push forward the construction of five high speed railway projects and finish construction on the Weifang-Laizhou high speed railway.

Ling stressed that construction enterprises should take measures to ensure the supply of virus prevention equipment for staff, maintain hygiene at the workplace, and implement other measures to prevent any workplace contagion.

He added that, in view of the shortage in labor and raw materials, limited transport capacity, and other problems restricting the resumption of construction, government departments at all levels should take effective measures to resolve problems as soon as possible.

On Feb 4, Shandong released a plan to resume full production by the end of this month. The province has pledged to resume production for major projects, particularly those which will contribute to economic growth, and resume operation of all qualified businesses in the region, prioritizing infrastructure services and essential supplies.