The National Development and Reform Commission recently issued a reply to agree the construction plan of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Intercity Railway. By 2025, the railway network in the Greater Bay Area will reach 4,700 kilometers in operation and under construction, covering the area's central cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Sketch map of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Intercity Railway.

According to the plan, a modern comprehensive transportation system will be improved on the basis of current intercity rail transit network in the Pearl River Delta region.

In detail, it will construct traffic circles with one-hour access between major cities in the Greater Bay Area, two-hour access from major GBA cities to prefecture-level cities in Guangdong, and three-hour access from major GBA cities to neighboring provincial capitals.

In the short term, it plans to construct 13 intercity railways and 5 hub projects, with a total mileage of about 775 kilometers and investment of almost 474.1 billion yuan.

A good example will be the construction of 6 intercity railway and 3 hub projects to be started before 2022, including the Guangqing Intercity North Extension Line and the Guangzhou East Railway Station renovation project.

In the long run, by 2035, the railway network in the Greater Bay Area will reach 5,700 kilometers, covering all cities above the county level.

Connectivity between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will also be enhanced. Shenzhen and Hong Kong have recently achieved interconnection through the existing Beijing-Kowloon Railway and Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-speed Railway.

Zhuhai and Macao will realize the connection of high-speed rail, intercity railway at Zhuhai Station and Hengqin Station. Also, it will support the Qingmao Port to connect with the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Intercity Railway in Zhuhai Station.

Author: Will

Editor: Jerry