武汉市民到“武陵源”只需2个半小时，湖北多出第二条南北走向高铁

Core Viewpoint - The Yichang to Changde High-Speed Railway (Yichang-Changde HSR) in Hubei province is set to officially commence construction on December 31, 2025, with an expected completion date by the end of 2029, significantly reducing travel time between Wuhan and Changde to 2.5 hours [1][3][12]. Group 1: Project Overview - The Yichang-Changde HSR is a crucial part of China's "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed rail network, specifically the Hunan-Tongdao corridor [3]. - The total length of the new railway line is 185.741 kilometers, with the Hubei section measuring 86.4 kilometers [3]. - The railway will feature a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour and will take four years to construct [3]. Group 2: Key Engineering Challenges - Major engineering challenges include the Wufeng Mountain Tunnel and two tunnels at Ma'anshan, which are critical control projects along the line [3]. Group 3: Stations and Connectivity - The railway will include seven stations, four in Hubei (Yichang North, Changyang East, Yidu, and Songzi West) and three in Hunan (Lixian West, Linli East, and Changde) [8]. - Upon completion, the Yichang-Changde HSR will connect with existing planned railways, enhancing the capacity of the Jing-Guang High-Speed Railway and improving the overall functionality of the central region's railway network [8]. Group 4: Regional Significance - The project will end the historical lack of high-speed rail access for Yidu and Songzi, facilitating better connectivity [8]. - Changde, known for its natural attractions such as the Taohuayuan Scenic Area and Huping Mountain National Nature Reserve, is expected to benefit from increased tourism and economic development due to improved transportation links [8].