Transport network expands on Donghai Island

The Donghai Island Railway, a crucial part of west Guangdong's coastal high-speed rail project, is laying track for an expansion project expected to complete this September.

At a cost of 4.2 billion yuan ($609 million), the railway was designed to improve the transport network on China's fifth largest island.

Donghai Island Railway runs over across-sea bridge and is expected to finish this September. [Photo by Liu Jicheng, Wu Zhiheng / Zhanjiang Daily]

When finished, the railway will stretch 57 kilometers in two sections, supporting key economic projects including Baosteel and the Sino-Kuwait refinery.

One section will be double-tracked and electrified, capable of carrying passengers and cargo between Huanglue Station along the Maoming-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway and Zhanjiang West Station on the Zhanjiang-Hai'an Railway. The other will connect the west station with the project bases across the Tongmingwan Bridge.

Railroad track has been laid for Donghai Island Railway. [Photo by Liu Jicheng, Wu Zhiheng / Zhanjiang Daily]

Construction on island's first expressway, ring and interwoven roads, public wharf and other transportation infrastructure projects are ongoing.

A decade of efforts in transport development is bringing it closer to Donghai Island's goal of creating "Three Horizontals and Four Verticals" and agglomerating its port-centered industry.

Heavy machinery is being used in the construction of the railway. [Photo by Liu Jicheng, Wu Zhiheng / Zhanjiang Daily]