August 20, 2008

Zhejiang province announces 2010 start for construction of magnetic levitation train route

HANGZHOU

Government authorities in Zhejiang Province on east China’s seaboard have finally announced that the construction of its section of a much-discussed magnetic levitation train route linking the eastern cities of Shanghai and Hangzhou will go ahead in 2010.

This timing is three years later than the original construction schedule.

Construction of this high-speed maglev project, however, has been postponed time and again amid radiation concerns. It is not clear why the scheme has now got the go-ahead. In accordance with an action plan of the provincial government regarding construction of key projects for 2008-2012 period, this affluent Chinese province is determined to complete the Zhejiang part of the maglev project in five years starting 2010 at a cost of 22 billion yuan (about 3.14 billion US dollars).

Preparatory work, including establishment of a special office for affairs related to the maglev project construction, assessment of land acquisition, site selection, as well as study of environmental impact should be done by the end of this year.

The action plan says that the Shanghai-Hangzhou maglev project will now be 199.434 km long, nearly 25 km longer than previously reported. Of the total, 103.553 km will be inside Zhejiang.

Associated Press

Print | Email | Comment