MANILA -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will assist Chinese government in preparing a major urban transport improvement project that covers five cities in one of the poorest regions of the country, an ADB report said on Friday.

A US$700,000 grant from ADB will be part of the US$900, 000 needed to draw up the Xinjiang Urban Transport and Environmental Improvement Project, said the report.

ADB's assistance is expected to start in December 2007 and last for six months.

"The project will enhance public infrastructure, increase environmental protection and raise the standard of living by improving local road networks and traffic management in five Xinjiang regional cities situated along a major transport corridor, " said Amy Leung, principal urban development specialist of ADB's East Asia Department.

"To maximize the development potential of Xinjiang and to raise the living standards of the people, the government has accorded high priority to support the sustainable economic development of the region, particularly border cities and cities along major transport corridors," said Leung.

The total length of roads planned for construction under the project is about 168 kilometers of varying widths and capacities. Around eight bridge structures totaling 340 meters in length are also being planned for development under the project.