The Xi’an-Chongqing High-Speed Railway (XiYu High-Speed Railway), a crucial infrastructure project connecting Northwest and Southwest China, has officially entered its critical construction and implementation phase. This milestone was marked by the successful completion of the last blasting operation for the Gaosheng No. 2 Tunnel on October 11th, as reported by CCTV News.
Tunnel Breakthrough Paves Way for Progress
The Gaosheng No. 2 Tunnel, located in Kaizhou District, Chongqing, spans 7,234 meters. Designed by China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group and constructed by China Railway Seventh Group, the tunnel presented significant geological challenges. It traversed complex terrains featuring landslides, rock dumps, mined-out areas, and karst formations, classifying it as a Level I high-risk tunnel. The construction team adeptly managed major obstacles including high gas content, reverse-slope drainage, and water and mud surges from karst areas. These complex conditions demanded exceptional technical expertise and stringent on-site management.
Comprehensive Progress on the Kang-Yu Section
The Kang-Yu section of the XiYu High-Speed Railway, which is 478 kilometers long, is progressing rapidly. The line originates from Ankang West Station and passes through Ankang City in Shaanxi Province, Chengkou County in Chongqing, Dazhou and Guang’an Cities in Sichuan Province, and Heping District and Beibei District in Chongqing, ultimately connecting to the Chongqing West Station hub. Currently, with 66 tunnels already completed along the entire line, construction has moved into the key stages of ballastless track installation, station building construction, and the installation of four types of electrical systems (signal, communication, power supply, and overhead catenary).
Transforming Travel and Regional Connectivity
Once operational, the XiYu High-Speed Railway will boast a total length of 739 kilometers with a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour. The project is being developed in two segments: Xi’an to Ankang, and Ankang to Chongqing. A connecting line between the XiYu High-Speed Railway and the Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-Speed Railway is also under simultaneous construction. The Ankang to Chongqing section alone will feature 11 stations, including Ankang West, Lan’gao, Chengkou, Fan’kuai, Xuanhan South, Dazhou South, Dazhu, Guang’an East, Hechuan East, Beibei South, and Chongqing West. Of these, Chongqing West is an existing station, while the others are newly built.
The completion of the XiYu High-Speed Railway is projected for 2028. This new high-speed corridor promises to dramatically reduce travel times between Xi’an and Chongqing, cutting the journey from approximately 6 hours to just 2.5 hours. Beyond this direct benefit, the railway will integrate seamlessly with other major lines such as the Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Railway, Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-Speed Railway, and Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway. This enhanced connectivity will significantly strengthen the high-speed rail network across China’s central and western regions, fostering economic development and improving passenger mobility.
