Chongqing - By 2027, Chongqing will realize four 1-hour traffic circles in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle and the western Chongqing region, 2-hour smooth travel within the city, 3-hour smooth travel in surrounding provincial capital cities, and 6-hour smooth travel to reach Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, according to Chongqing Municipal Transportation Bureau on November 13.

Chongqing's Transport Strong City Initiative, basically to build a modern, high-quality, comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network in the city, launched two years ago, has successfully attracted a cumulative investment of 490.23 billion yuan (USD 67.224 billion). 

By the end of this year, the total investment is anticipated to reach 529.31 billion yuan (USD 72.581 billion), surpassing the expected growth target.

Chongqing anticipated that by the end of this year, the total investment will reach 529.31 billion yuan (USD 72.581 billion). (Graphics/Chen Yuting)

Forming 26 water-road-rail ways between Chongqing and Sichuan

The collaboration between Sichuan and Chongqing has resulted in the establishment of 26 water, road, and railways, comprising 16 highways, six railways, and four waterways. 

Proximity to neighboring cities in Sichuan has been reduced to approximately one hour, achieving a one-hour direct connection between Chengdu and Chongqing. The daily operation of high-speed trains between Sichuan and Chongqing has reached 125 pairs, with 22 inter-provincial intercity bus routes in operation.

Regarding railways, since 2021, Chongqing has added 400 kilometers to its operational railway network, including 184 kilometers of high-speed rail, surpassing the 1,000-kilometer milestone. This development has significantly shortened travel distances for local citizens, reducing travel time from the city center to Wushan to two hours, to Zhengzhou to four hours, and Beijing to approximately seven hours.

There has been a substantial leap regarding urban rail transit with an operational rail length of 500 kilometers. The central metropolitan area has seen the addition of 288 adjusted bus routes, 38 small-lane bus routes, and a rail transit passenger share rate reaching 52%.

The goal of achieving high-speed connectivity to every county has been realized regarding highways. Six hundred kilometers of new road mileage has been completed, surpassing 4,000 kilometers. 

Simultaneously, the upper Yangtze River shipping center has taken shape, accelerating its hub functions. A notable improvement includes the extension of 300 kilometers in thousand-tonnage waterways, reaching 1,100 kilometers, and increasing port throughput capacity by 5 million tons, reaching 210 million tons. 

Over 45% of port cargo throughput comes from surrounding provinces and cities, solidifying the formation of the upper Yangtze River shipping center.

The development of four key sectors contributes to Chongqing's efforts in building a strong transportation network. (Graphics/Chen Yuting)

Aiming a new channel for Three Gorges water transportation

Looking ahead to the next five years, Chongqing plans 160 major projects in the pipeline. 

High-speed rail sector will witness six projects to be implemented, including the Chongqing to Qianjiang section of the Chongqing-Changsha High-Speed Rail, the Second Chengdu-Chongqing High-speed Railway, Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway. All are targeted for completion by 2027. 

Moreover, the city plans to expand and enhance the smooth flow of the Yangtze River golden waterway, adding 200 kilometers of thousand-tonnage waterways, reaching 1,300 kilometers. 

Efforts will be made to persuade the national government to initiate the construction of a new channel for Three Gorges water transportation. This initiative aims to accelerate the transformation of the main and branch waterways, construct port clusters, and increase port throughput capacity by 40 million tons, reaching 250 million tons.

In addition, Chongqing aims to construct 1,000 kilometers of urban roads, totaling 7,300 kilometers, reinforcing the integration of fast channels within and around the city. This will establish the basic framework of a 1-hour commuting circle in the main urban area.