China’s biggest economic circle is getting high-speed rail, in boon to Shanghai and Yangtze River Delta

Massive and long-anticipated rail project gets the plan approval it needs to stay on track and serve as an infrastructure-fuelled economic growth engine for China

But concerns exist over the urbanisation impact in and around cities connected by the 555km railway that will feature 16 stops in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Anhui

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China finally has designs in place for a high-speed railway that will better connect major cities across the Yangtze River Delta. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:30pm, 2 Sep 2022

Preliminary designs for a high-speed railway linking three provinces in China’s Yangtze River Delta have finally been approved after discussions dating back nearly a decade, laying the groundwork for construction to begin this year.

It’s big news for the delta, China’s largest economic circle. Provincial authorities who signed off on the plans on Wednesday expect the railway to accelerate the flow of people into the region. And there is perhaps no better time but the present, with major infrastructure projects like these back in vogue as Beijing looks to abate an economic downturn.

With a total investment of 180 billion yuan (US$26 billion), the 16-station railway will span 555km (345 miles) in eastern China, linking Shanghai and cities in the provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

It also said the trains are designed to reach speeds of up to 350km/h (217.48mph) – nearing the top speeds of Formula One race cars.

First proposed by the State Council, China’s cabinet, in 2013 to improve the transport system of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Shanghai-Nanjing-Hefei high-speed railway will run along the north Yangtze River.

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