Train to Chimelong said to run in 2018; onward by 2022

The Airport Urban Rail Transit Phase I project connecting Zhuhai Station in Gongbei with Hengqin New Area will cut travel time to half-an-hour when completed in 2018, while Phase II will be initiated this year and completed in 2022 at a cost of 10.28 billion yuan ($1.5 billion).

According to the Guangdong Provincial Development & Reform Commission, the Feasibility Report of Zhuhai Airport Urban Rail Transit Phase II had exhausted the public notification process by May 8.

Zhuhai Airport Urban Rail Transit [File photo]

Starting at Chimelong Station in Hengqin, the 22.95 km Phase II line will go northwest to cross Dahengqin Mt through Jingwan Station. As planned, the line will pass through West Ring Road to reach the Jinhai Highway & Railway Bridge (under construction) before crossing the Modaomen Waterway. Hezhou South Station will be built in the S Hezhou Reclamation Area. After crossing the Baiteng River Waterway, the rail transit will run past Sanzao Overpass East Station and southeast of Airport Road before reaching Zhuhai Airport Station.

The Phase I line goes west from Zhuhai Railway Station to Hengqin following the Qianshan Waterway, S Nanwan Road, Maliuzhou Waterway, and Chimelong Ocean Resort.

When the rail transit becomes operational, the maximum speed is expected to reach 160 kmph, cutting travel time between Gongbei and Zhuhai Airport to around half an hour.