Lanzhou-Zhangye High-speed Railway begins laying Wuwei-Zhangye section

Track laying on the Wuwei-Zhangye section of the Lanzhou-Zhangye High-speed Railway begins on Oct 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Track laying for the Wuwei–Zhangye section of the Lanzhou–Zhangye High-Speed Railway began on Oct 9 in Shandan county, Zhangye, Gansu province, marking the start of full-scale track-laying operations along the section.

The Lanzhou-Zhangye High-speed Railway is a crucial part of China's high-speed railway network and a key section of a rapid passenger corridor for the Silk Road Economic Belt.

The Lanzhou–Wuwei section opened in June 2024. With work now underway on the Wuwei–Zhangye section, the full Lanzhou–Zhangye line is moving toward completion.

Once completed, the railway will provide a second high-speed rail route between Lanzhou and Zhangye alongside the the Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-speed Railway, while bringing high-speed rail service to Jinchang for the first time. The 244-kilometer line will connect Wuwei, Jinchang, and Zhangye, improving the northwest high-speed rail network.

Designed for a speed of 250 km per hour, the section will greatly reduce travel time between Lanzhou and Zhangye and shorten the journey from Lanzhou to Jinchang to about two hours. It will also improve access to tourism attractions along the route, making weekend getaways and interprovincial travel more convenient.

Once completed, the new railway will shift passenger traffic away from the conventional Lanzhou–Xinjiang railway, freeing up capacity on the existing line for bulk freight transport. This will enable faster, more cost-effective shipments of coal, minerals, and agricultural products, supporting the development of Hexi Corridor's new-energy and modern agriculture sectors while strengthening regional transport links.