Sichuan–Tibet railway
The Sichuan–Tibet railway, Sichuan–Xizang railway or Chuanzang railway (simplified Chinese: 川藏铁路; traditional Chinese: 川藏鐵路; pinyin: Chuānzáng Tiělù) is a high-elevation railway under construction that will connect Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, and Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region.[1] The line will be 1,700 km (1,100 mi) long and is projected to cost 250 billion yuan (US$36.88 billion).
Sichuan–Tibet railway | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Status | Under construction |
Locale | |
Termini | Chengdu West railway station Lhasa railway station |
Service | |
Type | Heavy rail |
Technical | |
Line length | 1,629 km (1,012 mi) |
Number of tracks | 1 |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Operating speed | 160km/h |
Segments
Chengdu–Ya'an segment
The Chengdu to Ya'an segment begins at Chengdu West Station where it branches off from the Chengdu–Pujiang intercity railway. The 94-kilometre-long (60 mi) segment is electrified, double tracked, and has a design speed of 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph).[2] It began operation on 28 December 2018.
Ya'an–Kangding segment
The Ya'an to Kangding segment is currently under construction. The 193-kilometre-long (120 mi) segment will be electrified and has a design speed of 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph).
Kangding–Nyingchi segment
The Kangding to Nyingchi segment was scheduled to begin construction in 2020 after the approval in May 2019 .[3] The 998.61-kilometre-long (620.51 mi) segment will be electrified and has a design speed of 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph). The route is expected to roughly parallel that of China National Highway 318. As this section contains some of the roughest terrain on the railway, construction from Kangding to Nyingchi is expected to last seven years and done in 2030 and cost 270 billion yuan ($41.347 billion).[4]
Nyingchi–Lhasa segment
The 435km Nyingchi to Lhasa segment is currently under construction. The 434-kilometre-long (270 mi) segment has a design speed of 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph). It had been scheduled to open at the end of 2020.[5] Tracklaying was completed in December 2020.[6] This section is expected to open on 30 June 2021.[7]
External links
References
- Chu. "China Approves New Railway for Tibet". english.cri.cn. CRI. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- Morant, Sue (August 16, 2017). "Bridging the Sichuan-Tibet gap". International Railway Journal.
- "川藏铁路最难路段林芝至雅安段也来了!2700亿世纪工程要全线动工了". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
- "2700亿川藏铁路最新时间表独家披露:先期段两桥两隧明年动工!". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
- Briginshaw, David (April 9, 2020). "Milin tunnel holed through on Sichuan-Tibet railway". International Railway Journal.
- "新建川藏铁路拉林段正线轨道铺通-中新网视频". www.chinanews.com. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
- "喜讯!川藏铁路拉林段全线铺通 计划明年6月30日通车". www.sczytv.com. Retrieved 2021-01-01.