“沪杭高铁二线”来了？

Core Viewpoint - The approval of the feasibility study for the new Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed railway marks a significant step towards its construction, with a total investment of approximately 67.1 billion yuan and a length of about 223.8 kilometers [1][3]. Infrastructure Development - The Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed railway is a crucial part of the national "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed rail network and is included in the 102 major railway projects for the 14th Five-Year Plan [3]. - The railway is designed for a speed of 350 km/h and will connect Shanghai East Station to Hangzhou West Station, enhancing connectivity in the Yangtze River Delta region [3][4]. Economic Implications - The average construction cost of the new railway is approximately 300 million yuan per kilometer, which is higher than the 233 million yuan per kilometer for the existing Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou railway [3]. - The new railway aims to improve the competitive edge of Hangzhou by providing a more direct connection to Shanghai, addressing the current disparity in high-speed rail connectivity compared to Nanjing [4]. Urban Integration - The new railway is expected to facilitate the integration of Hangzhou into the expanded Shanghai metropolitan area, which now includes five additional cities [4]. - The construction of the Shanghai East Station, which will serve as a major transportation hub, will further enhance the connectivity between the two cities, allowing residents to travel directly to Shanghai Pudong Airport [4][5]. Future Prospects - There is potential for further reduction in travel time between Hangzhou and Shanghai, with plans to shorten the train journey to as little as 15 minutes if future high-speed rail developments are realized [5].