A new expressway extension opened to the public in north Shanghai today to improve traffic in Baoshan and Jiading districts while optimizing the city's highway network.

The new 6.1-kilometer extension of the S7 Highway between the Yueluo and Baoqian highways will primarily serve residents in the historical towns of Luodian and Xuhang.

It will also relieve congestion on the busy south-north thoroughfare in north downtown, the Hutai Highway, according to the Shanghai Chengtou Highway Investment Group, the project's main builder.