Qingdao Special: High-speed station to drive coastal zone

Qingdao North Railway Station, the largest railway station in Shandong province, is in its final phase of testing and will open before the Spring Festival travel season next month.

With a long-term goal of transporting 50,000 passengers everyday by 2025, the station is expected to be an engine driving the development of the Qingdao Transportation Business Zone.

The transportation zone is one of the municipal government's major new projects, and the zone will be built around the station, which is located in the Licang district.

The station will serve as a key interchange, as it will be linked with the three subway lines linking all parts of the city that are under construction, and there are two bus stations and one coach station. There are also several large parking lots.

The opening of the station marks an important step in the country's construction of high-speed railways in the eastern coastal region. The high-speed railway system will link Shandong Peninsula with the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta.

The expected flow of people and goods between cities will bring huge opportunities to the city, especially the zone, local officials say.

"We hope that with the opening of the station, we can build a brand new modern coastal zone featuring the travel and logistic industries," said Liu Yungang, head of the zone's construction office.

The World Horticultural Exposition will be held in Licang district next year. The six-month event is expected to attract 12 million visitors and the station will make a great contribution to the event, local officials say.

huqing@chinadaily.com.cn

Qingdao North Railway Station will become a gateway to cities around the province. Provided to China Daily

(China Daily 12/30/2013 page12)