The whirlwind of construction that is the expansion of the Nanjing Metro system continues at speed. Last week, Nanjing Metro released a progress update on the construction of lines 5, 6, 7, 9 and S6, as well as extensions/additional phases to Lines 1, 2, 10 and S8.
Nanjing last opened a metro line (S7) in May of 2018, while this year marks the Nanjing Metro entering its final phase of construction that leads to completion of the entire system sometime around 2030.
Hence, traffic in many parts of the city continues to be snarled up around the “cut ’n’ cover” operations to put metro lines under the city’s major thoroughfares.
For some though, particularly those who live near Zhongshan Bei Lu, Yunnan Lu and Shanghai Lu, the proverbial light can now be seen at the end of the tunnel. For this is where much of the disruption for Line 5 is taking place.
According to a report from the Nanjing Metro authorities, published by House365.com, Line 5 shall enter operation towards the end of next year.
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Line 5 runs between the city’s northwest and southeast. The 37.4 kilometre-long route has its northern terminus at Fangjiaying and its southern at Jiyin Da Dao, two of the line’s 30 stations. The good news is that the line, colour coded a blueish grey, was originally scheduled to open in 2022.
For those waiting for the extension to Line 1, the news is not so good. The 5-station, 6.54-kilometre extension that takes it from Maigaoqiao to the Nanjing Number 2 Bridge Park has been put back by 2 years, due to constraints from demolition and relocation. 2022 is its new opening date.
As for Line 6, four stations are presently under construction on the route which takes it from Qixia Shan to Nanjing South Railway Station, whereupon it shall morph into Line S1 that serves Nanjing Lukou International Airport.
Progress is more advanced over on Line 7, another major artery for mass transit in Nanjing. There shall be a total of 13 interchanges along the 35.5 kilometre route that runs from Xishanqiao, taking it to Xianxin Lu. Construction is currently under way on 26 of the 27 stations on the line, all underground. Line 7 is also slated to be entirely automated, running driverless trains.
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Another extension is taking place for Line 2, this time in a westerly direction, from the current terminus at Youfangqiao. Upon completion, the new end of the line will be at Yuzui which will also be an interchange with Line 9.
Phase 1 of Line 9 shall run between Danxia Lu Station in the north of Nanjing and Binjiang Park in the south. 19.67 kilometres in length, the line will take in major parts of Nanjing that include Hanzhong Men Da Jie, Zhongyang Men and Nanjing Railway Station. The orange-colour-coded Line 9 that is of great significance for the Hexi New City area is scheduled to open in 2023.
Over on Line 10, phase 2 of 3 shall see 10 new stations added from the the current terminus at Andemen; the line is being extended eastwards to terminate at Shiyang Dong Lu, where it will also interchange with Line 12.
There also be good news for those living just across the mighty Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in Pukou. A welcome extension to Line S8 shall bring more much-needed connectivity to the area, particularly at the new Daqiao station from where commuters may travel just three stops to Taifeng Lu; the interchange there with Line 3 able to put them downtown in less than an hour.
Special mention of Line S6 is saved for last. Also known as the “Ningju Intercity Line”, S6 will be the city’s first line to traverse the Nanjing border, connecting Maqun to Jurong that forms the westernmost county-level city which falls under the jurisdiction of Zhenjiang City. 37.4 kilometres in length and officially commenced at the end of 2018, Line S6 is another for an opening in 2023.
