SHANGHAI, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Shanghai is moving forward with preparations for next year's World Expo but tourists and motorists can expect a new inconvenience in that process.

A disruptive mix of construction trucks, equipment and workers, complicated by a related fire this month, blocked access to Shanghai's famous riverside walkway, the Bund. City officials said renovations to the Bund and adjacent Zhongshan Road and the resulting limited access are expected to continue through the end of this year.

Along both sides of the Huangpu River, 2 square miles of land have been dedicated for the use of expo participants. Preparations for the event include the construction of national pavilions, a multistory tunnel under the river and structures such as the 1.5 million-square-foot World Expo Center, the Expo Boulevard and the Expo Performing Arts Center.

One hundred forty-six nations have accepted invitations to the event, where they will stage exhibits in a national pavilion. The United States has raised a reported $61 million of private funds for the construction, staffing and operation of its expo pavilion, which will promote themes of "sustainability, teamwork, health and the Chinese Community in America."

The stress of construction hasn't erased excitement for the upcoming showcase. Vendors along Nanjing Road, Shanghai's main shopping artery, are already selling toy replicas of the expo mascot "Haibao." A large digital sign beside the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Jin Mao Tower in Pudong across the river from the Bund counts down the days and minutes until the event begins.

"Better City, Better Life," is the theme of next year's event. Planners have chosen 55 projects to represent "urban best practices" and promote ecological improvements in urban design. The mission statement on the expo Web site states, "Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living."

Seventy million visitors are expected to attend the 2010 World Exposition, which runs May 1-Oct. 31.

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