Taicang section of intercity railway reaches new construction milestone

The construction site of Taicang section of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou Intercity Railway. [Photo/WeChat account: SZTOCC]

Construction of the Taicang section of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou Intercity Railway has made new progress, with earth excavation work now fully underway for the cut-and-cover section of the project.

According to project updates, construction is expected to enter the bottom slab stage by the end of June, with structural topping-out scheduled for completion by the end of September.

The SG5 section of the Taicang project spans 2,124 meters, including a 780-meter cut-and-cover section and a 1,344-meter shield tunnel section. Supporting works, including the demolition and reconstruction of four bridges, temporary dock facilities and other large-scale auxiliary projects, are also progressing simultaneously. The overall construction of the section is expected to be completed by the end of August.

The Taicang section of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou Intercity Railway starts at Taicang Station in the north. It extends to the Jiangsu-Shanghai provincial boundary, where it will connect with the northern extension of Shanghai's Jiamin Line. The railway is designed for an operating speed of 160 kilometers per hour.

Once completed, the line will provide seamless transfers to more than 10 urban and suburban rail lines in Shanghai, including Metro Lines 2, 9 and 12.

The railway will adopt a metro-style operating model. Commuters will be able to board using transport cards or by scanning QR codes, creating a more convenient and flexible travel experience between Taicang and Shanghai.