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The Largest Railway Project of the Century: China Builds 1,196 km Railway Connecting Tibet in a Project Considered the Most Challenging in History

Written by Valdemar Medeiros
Published on 30/10/2024 at 11:10
A maior obra ferroviária do século: China constrói ferrovia com 1.196 km de extensão, conectando o Tibet em projeto considerado o mais desafiador da história
Foto: Nova ferrovia da China com mais de 1.600 km de extensão
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The Largest Railway Project In China Is Under Construction: Discover The New Railway That Promises To Be A Milestone In Modern Engineering And Outshine Other Countries.

China is once again pushing the boundaries of engineering with the construction of a new high-speed railway network heading to Xizang, a region known worldwide as Tibet. This ambitious project is not only the largest railway project in China but also promises to be a milestone in the history of global engineering. The railway traverses challenging terrains, with extreme natural conditions making each stage of construction a true feat. This megaproject demonstrates China’s commitment to integrating remote regions, expanding its transportation infrastructure, and proving that no geographical barrier is insurmountable.

China Builds New Railway With 1,629 Km Of Extent

The starting point of China’s new railway is just 300 meters above sea level, while the final destination, Lhasa, is over 3,000 meters in altitude, making this the largest railway project in history. Only the segment of Nyingchi, of the railway network, requires 47 tunnels and 121 bridges.

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One of the most challenging sections was the Milin Tunnel, which is 10 km long. China builds a new railway that crosses areas with high temperatures of the Earth’s crust, and factors such as large temperature variations between day and night and extreme weather conditions are challenges that the country had to overcome.

The new railway of China, also known as Sichuan-Xizang or Chuanzang, is a high-altitude, first-class railway in China that, when completed, will connect Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The railway network will have an extent of 1,629 km and will significantly reduce travel time between Chengdu and Lhasa from 48 to 13 hours.

The first segment of the railway, from Chengdu to Ya’an, became operational on December 28, 2018. The second segment, from Nyingchi to Lhasa, was inaugurated on June 25, 2021.

Understand The Difficulties Of The Construction Of The Largest Railway Project

The completion of the final segment, from Ya’an to Nyingchi, is scheduled for 2030. This is the first new electrified railway in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the first high-speed line on the Tibetan plateau. CR200J Fuxing series trains are used for the high-speed service. 

According to Chinese media, the construction of the new Sichuan-Tibet railway network is extremely challenging. The line crosses an altitude difference of 3,000 meters, with the starting point, in the Sichuan basin, at only 300 meters above sea level, while the final point is at 3,000 meters on the Tibetan Plateau. About 90% of China’s new railway operates at altitudes above 3,000 meters.

China builds a new railway and, only the segment of Nyingchi passes through the Yarlung Tsangpo river valley 16 times and required the construction of 47 tunnels and 121 bridges. One of the most challenging sections was the Milin Tunnel, which is 10 km long and descends to 1,200 meters below the top of a mountain range, located on average at 3,100 meters altitude.

The Largest Railway Project Will Cost US$ 44.77 Billion

The segment of 1,011 km between Ya’an and Nyingchi will have 72 tunnels with a total length of 851 km, including multiple tunnels over 30 km in length, with the longest tunnel of the Yigong railway network being 42.5 km. The new railway in China crosses areas with high temperatures in the Earth’s crust, increasing the level of construction difficulty. 

The total cost of the largest railway project is estimated to be around 44.77 billion dollars. China builds a new railway that will significantly reduce travel time and increase connectivity between Lhasa and cities in the eastern part of the country.

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Valdemar Medeiros

Formado em Jornalismo e Marketing, é autor de mais de 20 mil artigos que já alcançaram milhões de leitores no Brasil e no exterior. Já escreveu para marcas e veículos como 99, Natura, O Boticário, CPG – Click Petróleo e Gás, Agência Raccon e outros. Especialista em Indústria Automotiva, Tecnologia, Carreiras (empregabilidade e cursos), Economia e outros temas. Contato e sugestões de pauta: valdemarmedeiros4@gmail.com. Não aceitamos currículos!

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