Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Rail Link Reaches Key Milestone

A major breakthrough has been achieved in the hub connection project linking the Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line and the Chengda-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway, as two critical connecting line tunnels were successfully bored through at Lezhi Station in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. The milestone marks a significant step forward in integrating China’s southwestern high-speed rail network and advancing the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.

The Breakthrough

On June 14, 2026, the Songjiawan Downline Tunnel and the Pujiagou Upline Tunnel — two key connecting line tunnels at Lezhi Station — were successively completed, according to CCTV News. These tunnels enable cross-line train operations between the two major high-speed railways, allowing trains to seamlessly transition between the Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line and the Chengda-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway.

Lezhi Station, a newly built facility, is the only hub station that simultaneously connects both high-speed rail lines. The two connecting line tunnels link the main lines toward Chengdu and Chongqing, facilitating cross-line train operations and turnaround/sorting capabilities. Reporters Pang Ding and Jiang Lin of China Media Group covered the event for state media.

This milestone represents the final major tunneling achievement for the Lezhi connecting line project. With box girder erection already completed on May 27, 2026, the project is now transitioning from civil engineering to track laying and station finishing works, keeping it on schedule for its planned September 2027 completion date.

Strategic Importance

Both railways are vital components of China’s national “Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal” high-speed rail network, specifically the Yangtze River corridor, as detailed by Baidu Baike. The interconnection at Lezhi will significantly improve railway transport efficiency in Southwest China and promote deep integration of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle with the national high-speed rail network.

The Lezhi connecting line, measuring 8.303 kilometers in length with a design speed of 120 km/h, was originally not part of the initial plans. The two railways were originally designed to cross at Lezhi Station without connecting lines. However, in September 2023, the proposal for a connecting line passed a design change review by China State Railway Group, as reported by Sohu.

Travel Time and Efficiency Gains

The connecting line delivers substantial operational benefits. Trains on the Chengda-Wanzhou line will see their travel distance to central Chengdu reduced by approximately 20 kilometers, saving 10 to 15 minutes of travel time. Additionally, the connection enables balanced multi-point train dispatching at Chengdu’s three major railway stations — Tianfu Station, East Station, and Main Station — improving overall network efficiency and flexibility.

Broader Context: The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle

The breakthrough comes amid a broader push to develop the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, widely regarded as China’s fourth major economic growth pole after the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. High-speed rail connectivity is critical for integrating this region, enabling cross-city commuting, tourism, and industrial collaboration.

The Ministry of Transport reported in late May that all 41 tunnels of the Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line had been completed, with the line’s bridge and tunnel main works now finished. The Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line, designed for speeds of 350 km/h with some sections reserved for even higher standards, will eventually reduce travel time between the two megacities to approximately 50 minutes. The line passes through multiple counties including Dazu, Anyue, Lezhi, and Tongliang, bringing high-speed rail to previously underserved areas.

Sichuan’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), released in April 2026, explicitly calls for completing both the Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line and the Chengda-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway during the plan period, with the goal of building a national comprehensive transportation hub with over 70 major transport corridors. The plan emphasizes strengthening the Chengdu-Chongqing main axis, with the northern wing —依托ing the Chengda-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway — developing the Chengdu-Mianyang-Nanchong-Dazhou-Wanzhou economic belt.

Regional Economic Impact

The Lezhi connecting line transforms Lezhi County from a simple transit point into a dual high-speed rail hub, a development that is expected to boost local economic growth significantly. The China Daily commentary noted that the high-speed rail network will help沿线 areas leverage their特色农产品 and cultural tourism resources, promoting deep integration of culture and travel while revitalizing local specialty economies.

The Chengda-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway, which connects Chengdu, Dazhou, and Wanzhou, forms the northern wing of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle. Together with the Chengdu-Chongqing Central Line, these railways will create a more balanced and efficient transportation network across the entire southwestern region.

What’s Next

With the tunnel breakthrough achieved, subsequent work including track laying and station area works at Lezhi Station are progressing steadily. The Lezhi connecting line is scheduled for completion by September 30, 2027, following a 1,064-day construction period that began in November 2024. Full operation of both high-speed rail lines is expected during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, further integrating the Chengdu-Chongqing region into China’s rapidly expanding national high-speed rail network.

Lezhi County, once a transit point, is set to transform into a dual high-speed rail hub, positioning it to attract investment and drive local economic development as the region’s transportation landscape undergoes a historic transformation. The successful interconnection of these two major railways will not only shorten travel times but also serve as a catalyst for deeper economic integration across Southwest China, bringing the vision of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle closer to reality.