Ningbo-Zhoushan HSR: 2026 Construction Update & Route Map

The Ningbo-Zhoushan High-Speed Railway is a landmark infrastructure project in China’s Zhejiang province, establishing a critical transport link across the Hangzhou Bay. This project is defined by its ambitious engineering, featuring one of the world’s longest undersea high-speed rail tunnels and a record-breaking combined rail-road bridge to connect Ningbo with the Zhoushan archipelago.

Technical Specifications

The project’s design is tailored to overcome significant maritime challenges, incorporating world-class engineering solutions for its undersea and over-water sections.

Route and Stations: The 77-kilometer double-line railway begins at Ningbo Dong Station and terminates in Zhoushan’s Dinghai district. The alignment includes seven stations and is engineered for a maximum operational speed of 250 km/h.

Jintang Undersea Tunnel: A central feature of the project, the Jintang Undersea Tunnel will have a total length of 16.18 km, making it one of the world’s longest undersea tunnels for high-speed rail. Key details include:

• Shielded Section: 11.21 km bored at depths up to 78 meters below the seabed.
• Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs): Two custom-built TBMs, “Dinghai” and “Yongzhou,” are being used. Each TBM has a cutterhead diameter of 14.57 meters and weighs approximately 4,350 tonnes.
• Construction Method: The TBMs are excavating from opposite ends of the tunnel, engineered for a precise subsea meeting point.

Xihoumen Rail-Road Bridge: This 3.11 km structure is an engineering feat designed to carry both rail and highway traffic. Its specifications are notable:

• Design: A complex cable-stayed-suspension bridge.
• Main Span: 1,488 meters, one of the longest of its kind globally.
• Capacity: The single deck accommodates two high-speed railway tracks and a six-lane highway, representing a significant innovation in multi-modal bridge design.
• Foundation: The central pier foundations required driving 6.3-meter diameter piles to a depth of 90 meters into the seabed to ensure stability.

Key Takeaways

• Pioneering Maritime Engineering: The project sets new global benchmarks in undersea high-speed rail tunneling and long-span, multi-modal bridge construction, demonstrating advanced capabilities in complex marine environments.
• Strategic Economic Integration: By cutting travel time between Hangzhou and Zhoushan to just 77 minutes, the railway will significantly enhance economic integration within the Yangtze River Delta, a vital economic hub, and support the broader Belt and Road Initiative.
• Enhanced Regional Connectivity: The new line transforms Zhoushan from a relatively isolated archipelago into a key node in the regional transport network, boosting tourism, logistics, and trade by providing a fast, reliable connection to the mainland.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the primary engineering challenges of the Ningbo-Zhoushan HSR?
The main challenges stem from its extensive maritime route. This requires constructing the 16.18 km Jintang Undersea Tunnel through complex subsea geology while navigating existing pipelines and sea defenses. Additionally, the construction of the 3.11 km Xihoumen combined rail-road bridge in a busy shipping lane with demanding foundation requirements presents a significant engineering hurdle.

What is the strategic importance of this railway line?
Strategically, the railway is a catalyst for regional development. It integrates Zhoushan into the Yangtze River Delta’s economic powerhouse, facilitates more efficient logistics for the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, and promotes tourism. It also aligns with China’s national Belt and Road Initiative by strengthening domestic infrastructure to support international trade routes.