A lively scene at the construction site of the Changlingpi Station on Metro Line 27 in Nanshan District. Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Metro
In a significant development for the city's transportation infrastructure, three new Metro lines are poised to begin operations within Shenzhen this year, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.
These new lines include the westward extension of Line 5, the second phase of Line 16, and the second phase of a branch line originating from Line 6.
By the close of last year, Shenzhen's operational metro network had expanded to 595.1 kilometers. Shenzhen's transport authorities announced that there are 17 ongoing initiatives that span a total of 250.24 kilometers. Upon completion of the Line 5 extension by 2028, Shenzhen's cumulative operational metro network will span a total of 831 kilometers.
A map depicting the route of the westward extension of Line 5.
An illustration of the second phase of Line 16, set to begin operation this year.
The realm of intercity and national railway systems in Shenzhen has also witnessed a resurgence in construction activities. Presently, there are two railway projects, four intercity rail lines, and 17 metro line extensions in progress.
An official from the Shenzhen transport department stated, "By 2030, Shenzhen aims to finalize 26 railway projects, comprising seven high-speed rail lines, nine intercity rail connections, one freight railway, five rail interchanges, and four key rail terminals. These projects will provide service coverage exceeding 1,000 kilometers. This strategic expansion is envisioned to facilitate seamless half-hour direct linkages between Shenzhen's urban nucleus and core cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), one-hour access to major GBA cities, and three-hour commutes to neighboring provincial capitals."
Meanwhile, the completion of the Shenzhen Outer Ring Expressway is anticipated by the end of 2028. Starting from the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Riverside Expressway in the west, the expressway traverses key areas including Bao'an District, Guangming District, Longhua District, Longgang District, Pingshan District, Dapeng New Area, and Dongguan City before merging with the Yanba Expressway. This project has a length of approximately 94 kilometers, with 77 kilometers within Shenzhen and 17 kilometers in Dongguan. The expressway adheres to a dual six-lane design with a designated speed range of 80 to 100 kilometers per hour.
Notably, the roughly 16.8-kilometer section between Kengzi and Dapeng has yet to be completed. Composed of sections in Pingshan, Kuichong, and Dapeng, this section features five interchanges along the route and two extensive tunnel networks.
