The new £3.6bn railway will connect 10m people on either side of mountain

A groundbreaking £3.6 billion railway project is underway in eastern China, set to connect the bustling city of Ningbo with the neighbouring city of Cixi. 

The Ningbo–Cixi Railway, also known as Line 10, is a significant infrastructure development that aims to enhance connectivity for approximately 10 million people on either side of a mountain range in Zhejiang Province.

The ambitious project is overseen by the Ningbo Line 10 Municipal Railway Development Company.

It includes the construction of a 64-kilometer (39.8-mile) intercity railway line that will extend from the existing Kongpu station on Line 2 of the Ningbo Metro to the Cixi High-Speed Railway Station. 

This extension will enable passengers to easily transfer to the Nantong–Suzhou–Jiaxing–Ningbo high-speed railway, further integrating the region’s transportation network.

A standout feature of this railway line is its engineering feat – a 1.4-kilometre (4,593-foot) tunnel that will pass through a mountain, demonstrating China’s prowess in constructing challenging infrastructure. 

In addition to this mountain tunnel, the project will include 13 new railway stations, of which six will be underground and seven elevated, as well as numerous bridges and tunnels.

Construction, which began in May 2023, is moving forward with an anticipated completion date by the end of 2026. 

Once operational, the Ningbo–Cixi Railway will significantly reduce travel times, ease congestion, and foster economic development in the region.

This project is part of China’s broader efforts to expand its high-speed rail network and enhance intercity connectivity, showcasing its ongoing commitment to improving transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of its growing population.