中部两省间的第二条高铁，来了

Core Points - The Yichang to Changde High-Speed Railway is expected to start construction within this year and be completed by the end of 2029, covering a distance of 234.4 kilometers with a design speed of 350 km/h and a total investment of approximately 32.47 billion yuan [1] - The railway will significantly reduce travel time between Yichang and Changde to about 1.5 hours, and to Changsha in approximately 2.5 hours, cutting the current travel time by more than half [1] - The project is a key component of China's "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed rail network and is highlighted in the "14th Five-Year Plan" for the development of the Yangtze River Middle Reaches Urban Agglomeration [1] Project Background - The Yichang to Changde Railway has been in planning since 2017, but progress was slow due to disagreements between Hunan and Hubei provinces regarding the route and prioritization of other rail projects [1] - In 2023, the railway was included in the national reserve for construction, leading to accelerated progress, including the approval of feasibility studies and environmental impact reports [1] Regional Impact - Yichang, as a sub-central city in Hubei, is expected to benefit directly from the railway, contributing to the development of a "cross-regional" high-speed rail network [3] - Changde's transportation status will improve, providing a foundation for its aspirations to become a provincial sub-central city [3] - The railway is seen as a vital link in enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the development of secondary cities in the Yangtze River Middle Reaches Urban Agglomeration [3][4] Strategic Importance - The Yichang to Changde Railway is the second high-speed rail connection between Hunan and Hubei, following the Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, and is expected to alleviate transportation bottlenecks in the northwestern Hunan and southwestern Hubei regions [4] - There are future prospects for extending the railway towards the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, potentially bringing more opportunities to cities like Yichang and Changde [4]