The construction of the Wuwei-Zhangye section of the Lanzhou-Zhangye High-Speed Railway (HSR) officially commenced on Dec 16.

The Lanzhou-Zhangye HSR originates at Lanzhou West Railway Station, passing through Lanzhou, Wuwei, Jinchang, and Zhangye, before connecting to Zhangye West Railway Station. Spanning approximately 498 kilometers, with a designed speed of 250 kilometers per hour.

The monumental project unfolds in three phases. The first phase, spanning 61-kilometer from Lanzhou West to Zhongchuan Airport, was completed and opened in September 2015. Subsequently, the second phase, covering 193-kilometers from Zhongchuan Airport to Wuwei East, became operational in June 2024.

As the third phase, linking Wuwei East to Zhangye West transition into construction stage, the vision of seamless connectivity is drawing closer to realization. The Wuwei-Zhangye section spans approximately 244 kilometers through Wuwei, Jinchang, and Zhangye, with a projected construction period of three years. The line will feature four stations: Wuwei East, Jinchang South, Shandan North, and Zhangye West. Among these, Jinchang South and Shandan North are new constructions, while Wuwei East and Zhangye West are existing stations.

This project is of strategic importance for enhancing connectivity within the Hexi Corridor and across Gansu province, facilitating the development of a more comprehensive and integrated transportation network. It will play a pivotal role in supporting Gansu's integration into and contribution to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Additionally, the railway will help optimize freight capacity on the existing Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway, creating a high-capacity passenger transport corridor between Northwest China and the central and eastern regions. This will not only bolster national energy security but will also support the development of a new framework for advancing the West in the new era, underpinned by robust transportation infrastructure.