Yichang–Xingshan high-speed railway

The Yichang–Xingshan high-speed railway, also referred to in Chinese under the acronym Yichang-Zhengwan high-speed railway connection line (Chinese: 宜昌至郑万高铁联络线; pinyin: Yíchāng zhì zhèng wàn gāotiě liánluò xiàn), is a high-speed railway under construction between Yichang on the Wuhan–Yichang railway and Xingshan on the Zhengzhou–Wanzhou high-speed railway in Hubei province, China. It will form part of the Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu high-speed railway. The total length of the line is 109.38 km (67.97 mi), and there are 3 stations on the whole line. It is a line connecting the Wuhan–Yichang railway (a component of the Shanghai–Wuhan–Chengdu passenger railway) and the Zhengzhou–Wanzhou high-speed railway. The line will run from Yichang East station via the Changgangling area and Xiabaoping station to Xingshan station. In addition, this line is also planned to be connected with Yichang North railway station and the Wuhan–Yichang high speed railway, also currently under construction.[1] The estimated total investment of the project is 18.15 billion yuan, the construction period is 5.5 years, the design speed is 350 km/h (220 mph), and 94.37% of the main line will run on bridge or through tunnel. It is expected to be officially completed and opened to traffic in 2024. After the completion of the line, combined with the Zhengzhou-Wanzhou HSR to form a new east–west high-speed railway route in the Sichuan-Chongqing area, the Wuhan–Chongqing route will be shortened from the current fastest service of 5 hours and 54 minutes to about 3 hours, and Wuhan–Chengdu services will take only 5 hours.[2] At the same time, journeys between Yichang and Beijing will be shortened from the current 8 hours to about 4.5 hours.[3]

Yichang–Xingshan high-speed railway
宜昌至郑万高铁联络线
Overview
Other name(s)Yixing high-speed railway
Statusunder construction
LocaleHubei, China
Termini
Service
TypeHigh-speed rail
SystemChina Railway
Operator(s)CR Wuhan Group
Technical
Line length109.38 km (67.97 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Minimum radius
  • 7,000 m (23,000 ft) (general)
  • 5,500 m (18,000 ft) (difficult)
Electrification25 kV AC
Operating speed350 km/h (220 mph)
SignallingAutomatic block
Maximum incline
  • 2% (general)
  • 3% (difficult)
Route map

Yichang East
Xiabaoping
Xingshan

History

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The environmental impact assessment was announced for the first time on 5 September 2018.[4] On 18 April 2019, the feasibility study report of the Yichang-Zhengwan high-speed railway connection line was jointly approved by China Railway and the Government of Hubei Province.[5] On 28 December, the project officially started construction in Beidouping, Xingshan County, in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.[6]

On 13 August 2021, the pouring of the first beam along the entire line began.[7] On 7 December 2022, the highest pier of China's highest high-speed railway bridge, the 124 m (407 ft) high pier No. 13 of the Gaolan River bridge, was successfully capped.[8]

References

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  1. ^ 中铁第四勘察设计院集团 (November 2019). 新建铁路宜昌至郑万高铁联络线环境影响报告书 [Environmental Impact Report of the Newly-built Railway Yichang–Zhengwan high-speed railway Connection Line] (PDF) (in Chinese). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  2. ^ "宜昌——郑万高铁联络线预计2024年通车" [The Yichang-Zhengwan high-speed railway connection line is expected to open to traffic in 2024]. 中国交通新闻网. 中国交通报. 2 March 2022. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  3. ^ "宜昌至郑万高铁联络线开工" [Construction of Yichang-Zhengwan high-speed railway connection line started]. 新华网. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  4. ^ "『湖北』宜昌至郑万铁路联络线环境影响评价第一次公示" ["Hubei" Yichang-Zhengwan railway connection line environmental impact assessment first public announcement]. 中国轨道交通网 (in Chinese). 中铁第四勘察设计集团有限公司. 7 September 2018. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  5. ^ "宜昌至郑万高铁联络线项目可行性研究报告获国家正式批复". 宜昌市发展和改革委员会 (in Chinese). 18 April 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  6. ^ "2020年8月1日正式开工!宜昌至郑万高铁联络线启动施工招标" [The official start on August 1, 2020! Yichang-Zhengwan high-speed railway connection line starts construction bidding]. 见道网 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  7. ^ "宜昌至郑万高铁联络线第一片梁开始浇筑" [The first beam of the Yichang–Zhengwan high-speed railway connection line started to be poured]. 铁科院(北京)工程咨询有限公司 (in Chinese). 14 September 2021. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  8. ^ "挑战中国高铁最高桥!隧道国家队建桥也有狠活" [Challenge the highest bridge of China's high-speed rail! Tunnel national team also has hard work in building bridges]. 中铁隧道局集团 (in Chinese). 7 December 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.