OK, OK... so that "Five New Subway Lines About To Get Work Started" article was a bit too much for your infrastructure-mad Beijingologist. In the time between the announcement and -- sometime ago, the Beijing Subway has underwent -- total insanity, that is. They've dreamt up and cancelled a whole slew of new and sleek subway projects. Here's a look at them all:

• Subway Line 3: OK, central Beijing north of Tian'anmen was going to be subway paradise, with Lines 3 and 6 north of Line 1. Line 3 was going to run from Wulu through to Gongti and further east, while Line 6 would go from Fushi Road through to Tongzhou.

Riiight -- until the subway authorities decided to merge the two lines. Now, Line 3 is as good as semi-dead, and the always-ready interchange at Dongsishitiao station will be -- left chock-full of cobwebs. Then again, with everyone yelling in front of the mic in Chaowai, what do you expect? Someone's got to bring the mic maniacs back home!

• Subway Line 11: This was supposed to be that magically long line that would connect Line 10, taking you through the southern and western 3rd and 4th Ring Roads. No longer -- this line has become Stage 3, and now Stage 2, of Line 10. One less line... to zip around in... >sniff<

• Subway Line 16: This was a godsend to the guys in Huilongguan: the proposed Line 16 would take you in an almost north-south direct from Huilongguan all the way to Jijiamiao in Fengtai District. This would put the guys running the Badaling Freeway (and the Jingbao Freeway to come) out of business, no doubt, and bring folks north-south for cheap. Great idea -- but it got nixed. You ask us why? We tell you: bu zhidao!...

So time to update your subway maps, ladies and gentlemen: slash out Lines 3, 11 and 16...