Work starts on express rail line to link city's airports
Construction starts on Friday on an express Metro line to connect the city’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports.
Construction started on Friday on an express Metro line to connect the city’s Hongqiao and Pudong airports.
The 68.6-kilometer express line is expected to shorten the traveling time between the two airports to less than 40 minutes upon its completion in 2024.
Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang announced the beginning of the construction. Digging then started on the first shield well for the project.
The express line will not only benefit transit passengers at both airports, but also make it more convenient for citizens to travel around. It will further improve the pivotal and service functions of both airports to the Yangtze River Delta region, according to the city government.
As one of China’s first batch of 11 demonstration city railways approved by China’s development and reform commission, or the nation’s top planning body, the express line will be able to connect with the nation’s railway system and the intercity transport network of the Yangtze River Delta region in the future.
The line will further improve the city’s business environment, enhance Shanghai’s core competences and strongly support the national strategy of integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region.
Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang (middle) and Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong (left) check the blueprint of the express line to connect Hongqiao and Pudong airports.
Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong called on the construction team to ensure safety and the quality of the project to make it an “excellent project.”
Currently, passengers can take Metro Line 2 or an airport bus between the two airports that roughly takes between 70 and 90 minutes, depending on whether commuters use the Maglev in addition to the Metro.
The express line will have nine stations across Xuhui and Minhang districts as well as the Pudong New Area.
It will run through the Hongqiao transport hub, Shanghai-Hangzhou Railway Outer Ring Line, Qibao historical town, Huajing Town, Sanlin Town, Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, Shanghai Disney Resort, Pudong International Airport and the planned Shanghai East Railway Station.
Based on the standards of the nation’s railway system, the line’s designed speed will be 160 kilometers per hour. The project will mainly run underground, while also on elevated rails and above ground.
The express Metro line will connect Hongqiao and Pudong airports.
