Rail transit, which plays a backbone role among green travel modes, is not only related to the city's sustainable development and the creation of a sound environment, but also to the travel convenience of millions of citizens. What major moves will Chengdu's rail transit make this year? Which new lines will start construction or open? A few days ago, the reporter learned from the Municipal Construction Commission that the 2018 rail transit "construction list" has been released.
　　46 kilometers of new metro lines will open this year
　　"2018 is a year of pioneering and innovation in rail transit construction. Rail transit construction will follow the overall approach of fully supporting the Eastward Strategy, densifying the central optimal network, developing the western controlled tourism lines, and steadily advancing the North Reform and South Expansion rail transit construction, with the overall goal of implementing the rail transit accelerated network formation construction plan and accelerating the pace of construction," said the relevant person in charge of the Municipal Construction Commission.
　　The 2018 rail transit "construction list" shows that this year the city will continue to advance continued rail transit projects and carry out high-quality continued construction of 12 metro projects: Phase III First Section of Line 1, Phase III South Section of Line 1, Phases II and III of Line 3, Phases I and II of Line 5, Phases I and II of Line 6, Phase I of Line 18, Phase II of Line 18, Phase I of Line 8, Phase I of Line 9, Phase II of Line 10, Phase I of Line 11, and Phase I of Line 17. It will also advance the continued construction of two tram lines as planned: the Rong 2 Tram Line and the Dujiangyan M-TR Tourist Passenger Dedicated Line.
　　This year, two metro projects will be opened for operation — Phase III of Metro Line 1 and Phases II and III of Line 3, with a total opening mileage of 46 kilometers. Among them, Phase III of Line 1 is expected to open before the Sugar and Wine Fair at the end of March, and Phases II and III of Line 3 are expected to open before the end of the year.
　　Advance preparatory work for 6 projects
　　At the same time, Chengdu will advance preparatory work for 6 projects in the fourth phase construction plan: Phase III of Line 10, Phase I of Line 13, Phase II of Line 17, Phase III of Line 18, Phase II of Line 19, and Line 33, and will launch construction at an appropriate time after the fourth phase rail transit construction plan is approved. According to the current design scheme, the Phase III project of Line 10 starts from People's Park Station in the north and ends at Taipingyuan Station (exclusive) in the south, with a total length of about 5.5 kilometers. The Phase I project of Line 13 runs from Qiligou Station (inclusive) to Longhuasi Station (inclusive), with a total length of about 28.85 kilometers. The Phase II project of Line 17 runs from Jitouzhen Station (exclusive) via People's Park to Longtansi East Station (inclusive), with a total length of about 27.6 kilometers. The Phase III project of Line 18 will connect South Railway Station and North Railway Station, adopting municipal express line technical standards, with a maximum operating speed of 140 kilometers per hour. The Phase II project of Line 19 starts at Jiujiang North Station (exclusive) and ends at Tianfu New Station. As an important supporting rail transit line for Tianfu International Airport, Line 19 will connect Tianfu International Airport and Shuangliu International Airport. Line 33 starts at Yongkang Forest Park Station in Wuhou District and ends at Jinshuihuaxiang Station in the High-tech Zone, running from northwest to southeast.
　　Coordinate and plan the citywide rail transit system
　　In addition to promoting project construction, this year there will also be many actions in the overall planning and advance planning of the citywide rail transit system. Compile the "Eastward Strategy" rail transit network plan — in conjunction with the city master plan, urban rail transit network and construction plan, "three-rail integration," multi-standard rail transit, and the Longquanshan Forest Park rail tourism loop, optimize and adjust the rail transit network in the "Eastward Strategy" area, scientifically compile the rail transit network plan in the "Eastward Strategy" area, and promote the formation of a core rail transit network in the "Eastward Strategy" area. Accelerate the implementation of the "Chengdu Three-Rail Integration Overall Plan" — coordinate the planning of national railway trunk lines, municipal rail transit, and urban rail transit, comprehensively deepen the plan and accelerate implementation. Compile the Chengdu municipal (suburban) railway network plan and construction plan to fully support the construction of the citywide rail transit system.
　　Use projects as carriers to promote the development of the rail transit industry
　　This year, Chengdu will also firmly seize the opportunity period of large-scale rail transit construction, led by the construction of projects such as the Dayi Sky Train test line and the medium- and low-speed maglev demonstration line, and relying on units such as Southwest Jiaotong University, China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group, China Railway No.2 Engineering Group, CRRC, and the China Railway Rail Transit High-tech Industrial Park, to form a full industrial chain pattern integrating scientific research, design, construction, manufacturing, and operation and maintenance, accelerate the development of the rail transit industry, build a base for rail transit innovation and achievement transformation, and strive to transform scientific research and technological advantages into industrial and economic advantages.
　　Among them, the Dayi Sky Train test line project will optimize the project's route selection scheme, vehicle system standards, engineering technical scheme, implementation mode, etc., comprehensively improve the project's social and economic benefits in conjunction with the industrial planning, traffic conditions, and supporting facilities of the areas along the project, and at the same time lead the localized development of the industry.
　　The medium- and low-speed maglev test line and demonstration line projects will, in conjunction with Chengdu's "Eastward Strategy," domestic and foreign new medium- and low-speed maglev system technologies, and the prospects for localized industrial development, further study the route selection and construction schemes of the test line and demonstration line, and plan the development path of Chengdu's maglev rail transit technology industry from medium-low speed to medium-high speed to high speed to ultra-high speed from levels such as government guidance, project leadership, and technology integration.