城市24小时 | 这条“短线”高铁，为何“砸锅卖铁也要上”

Core Viewpoint - The Hangzhou-Qichun High-Speed Railway (杭衢高铁) has entered the trial operation phase, marking a significant step towards its full opening, which is expected by the end of December 2025. This railway is seen as a vital development for the Qichun region, enhancing connectivity and economic growth opportunities [3][5][6]. Summary by Sections Project Overview - The Hangzhou-Qichun High-Speed Railway spans approximately 131 kilometers with a design speed of 350 km/h, featuring six stations including JianDe, LongYou, and Jiangshan. The project commenced construction in May 2020 and is characterized by a bridge-tunnel ratio of 78.7% [5][6]. Economic Impact - The railway is anticipated to significantly reduce travel time between Hangzhou and Qichun from about 1 hour to approximately 40 minutes, and travel to Shanghai will decrease from over 2 hours to 90 minutes. This improvement is expected to mitigate Qichun's marginalization in the economic landscape of Zhejiang Province [5][6]. Strategic Importance - The Hangzhou-Qichun High-Speed Railway is positioned as a key channel for enhancing Zhejiang's connectivity with neighboring provinces such as Anhui, Jiangxi, and Fujian, facilitating the integration of the Yangtze River Delta with central regions [6]. Investment and Construction Model - This railway is notable for being the first in China to adopt a "PPP+EPC" model, with a total investment of approximately 23.63 billion yuan. The project is led by the China Railway Fourth Survey and Design Institute Group [6]. Operational Considerations - Experts suggest that the operational frequency of the railway should be optimized to enhance connectivity with other rail lines, such as the Hukun Railway and Jiujiang-Qichun Railway, to better serve a wider range of passengers. There is also a push for the railway to serve as a pilot for intercity rail operations [7].