First underwater bullet train to take the plunge in China

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

China is about to build the first underwater bullet train route connecting Ningbo to Zhoushan, an archipelago off the east coast. Ningbo is a port city south of Shanghai.

The proposed underwater tunnel is a part of the 77-kilometer Yong-Zhou Railway plan (Yong is the nickname of Ningbo) to promote tourism. It will create a two-hour-commute zone within Zhejiang Province. The feasibility study of the Yong-Zhou Railway plan was approved by Beijing in November.

Out of the 77 km railway route, about 70.92 km of tracks will be newly built, including a 16.2 km undersea section.

The current journey from Hangzhou to Zhoushan takes about 4.5 hours when traversed by bus.  The 2.5-hour drive by personal car or cab is ardous.

The project costs sea deep 25.2 billion yuan or U.S. dollars 3 billion. It is expected to begin in 2019 and is due for completion by 2025.

About seven stations are planned for the entire route, out of which four stations would be new.

The marriage of science and transportation, will prove critical for travel and tourism industry in China.

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