Train to Xiongan being built

Construction began on Wednesday for an intercity railway between Beijing and the Xiongan New Area in neighboring Hebei province, marking the beginning of major infrastructure construction in the area.

The rail line, which will stretch about 92 kilometers, is the first major transportation project involving Xiongan since its establishment in April, according to the contractor, Beijing-Shenyang Railway Passenger Transport Beijing-Hebei Co.

The railway will cut the travel time between the capital and Xiongan by more than 60 percent to about 30 minutes when it begins operation by the end of 2020, construction director Yang Bin said on Wednesday at the groundbreaking ceremony in Xiongxian county, where the terminus of the line will be located.