Recently, the preliminary work of Shandong Zidong high-speed railway is progressing smoothly, and construction will start soon. It is understood that the Zidong high-speed railway runs through northern Shandong and connects the two cities of Zibo and Dongying in the north-central part of the Shandong peninsula. Since its construction concept was launched, it has attracted people's attention. After multi-party coordination and struggle, the progress of the project has been accelerated and unexpected progress has been made. In March 2021, the "Shandong Peninsula Urban Agglomeration Intercity Railway Planning 2021-2035" was officially announced. The Zidong high-speed rail has been changed from a long-term project to a short-term (2021-2025) project, which also means that the preliminary work of the Zidong high-speed rail has been accelerated. At present, the Zidong High-speed Railway has completed the pre-feasibility study report, which has been included in the outline of the national economic and social development plan of Shandong Province during the 14th Five-Year Plan.

Zidong High-speed Railway, also known as Zidong Intercity Railway, is located in the north-central part of Shandong Peninsula, starting from Zibo City in the west, passing through Guangrao County to the east, and finally reaching the end of Dongying City. The total length of the Zidong high-speed rail line is about 104 kilometers, of which about 34 kilometers in Zibo and 70 kilometers in Dongying. The planned operation speed is 250 kilometers per hour. The total project investment is estimated to be about 15.9 billion yuan. Along the line there are 5 stations including Zibo North Station, Guangrao Station, Guangrao North Station, Dongying Station and Dongying East Station.

Geographical advantage

The starting point of Zidong High-speed Railway Zibo is located in the middle of Shandong Peninsula, adjacent to Weifang in the east, Jinan in the west, Linyi in the south, and Dongying in the north. It is located in the Yellow River Delta High-Efficiency Ecological Economic Zone and the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone. The intersection of the economic circle of the Shandong provincial capital city group is one of the core cities of the Shandong Peninsula city group and the sub-central city of the provincial capital city group economic circle. Zibo has developed industry and commerce. It is an old industrial base in China, a resource-based city (renewable city) and a modern industrial city. It has been designated as a regional central city in Shandong Province by the state.

The terminus of the Zidong High Speed Railway, Dongying City, is located in the northeastern part of Shandong Peninsula, facing the Bohai Sea in the east, facing Japan and South Korea across the sea, bordering the Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan Economic Zone in the north, and the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone in the south, and radiating vast inland areas to the west. It is an important node of the Bohai Rim Economic Zone and an important part of the Shandong Peninsula urban agglomeration. It is in the hub position connecting the Central Plains Economic Zone and the Northeast Economic Zone, the Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan Economic Zone and the Jiaodong Peninsula Economic Zone. Located at the mouth of the Yellow River, Dongying is the central city of the Yellow River Delta and an important oil base in my country. Its energy advantage is particularly prominent.

After the completion of the Zidong high-speed rail, the two major cities of Zibo and Dongying can be perfectly connected to form an organic whole. By then, the whole journey from Dongying to Zibo can be reached within 30 minutes, which will bring people along the line to travel. It is extremely convenient, and at the same time, it can greatly shorten the time and space distance between the two places, bringing more opportunities for exchanges and cooperation. Editor/He Yuting