CHINESE Railways has started double-tracking work on the 224 km Xuangcheng - Hangzhou line linking Zhejiang and Anhui provinces southwest of Shanghai. Work began in May, and is due for completion in 2005.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Jiangsu province has confirmed plans for a 220 km local railway along the south bank of the Yangtze river to serve the developing industrial towns north of Shanghai. Running from Zhenjiang to Nanqiang via Zhangjiagang, Changsu and Taichang, it will connect with CR’s new Xinyi - Changxing line at Jiangyin. Construction is expected to begin next year, with opening anticipated for 2007.
- The Shaoyang - Yongzhou section of Chinese Railways’ new Loyang - Zhangjiang north-south trunk line in Hunan province was due to be formally opened on July 1.
