A north section of the proposed Zhuhai-Zhaoqing High-Speed Railway is to come under construction in December and be completed in 2025, it is stated in an Aug 22 environmental impact assessment notice regarding the Gaoming-Zhaoqing East section.

The section will facilitate travel from the proposed Hezhou Station in Doumen District to Shenzhen, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Northern Guangxi, and Western Hunan upon completion. The Gaoming District of Foshan abuts Zhaoqing City west of Foshan and Guangzhou and is situated northwest of Doumen.

Zhuhai Railway Station [File photo]

Guangdong Provincial Railway Construction Investment Group is soliciting public opinion on the northern proposal. Meanwhile, the official rail route of the Zhuhai-Jiangmen section is pending research and design, but construction is also expected to begin this year and last 48 months.

According to the railway group's public notice, the Gaoming-Zhaoqing East section will cross Foshan's Gaoming, and Zhaoqing's Gaoyao and Dinghu districts. It will connect to Guiyang-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway at Zhaoqing East Railway Station and merge into Shenzhen-Maoming Railway's Shenzhen-Jiangmen section at Gaoming Railway Station. Jinli Railway Station will be built in Gaoyao.  

The Zhuhai-Zhaoqing High-Speed Railway will cater to demands for medium- and long-distance trips within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. With a designed speed of 350 kmph (217 mph), it is planned to pass 44.35 km (27.5 miles) through Hezhou and Jiangmen City railway stations.