On March 2nd, announced by Foshan Bureau of Rail Transit, in conjunction with Guangzhou New Airport  (in Gaoming, Foshan), Pearl River Delta Intercity Railway incorporated two high-speed railways, one inter-city rail service, one express line and one metro. Accordingly, Foshan Line 9 would be the airport express line. 

Reported by Foshan Government, the construction of the new airport is estimated to start this year, which marks a key juncture in the citys progression.  

The construction of new airport strictly follows 4F standards. Currently there are two airfield runways under construction, which are expected to handle 30 million passengers. Passenger throughput will reach 60-80 million once East-two airfield runway gets into operation in the future.  

Representative of Foshan Bureau of Rail Transit believed that the construction of the project should integrate with Pearl River Delta Intercity Railway. 

The reason why the local authority integrate the airport with railway transit in its blueprint is obvious - to mitigate the pressure of road traffic system, provide more diversified transportations, and achieve better service level and economic value. 

Notably, out of Pearl River Delta Intercity Railway, Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway has been under construction, which is estimated to operate in 2025. As the underground area of new airport is limited, it is necessary to incorporate either current or future railways in its plans and construct simultaneously.  

Foshan Bureau of Rail Transit also stated that by locating at the heart of Pearl River Delta area, the new airport would become one important aviation hub. 

Overall, the integration of new airport and Pearl River Delta Intercity Railway has adopted the key transportation strategy, which is known as "two high-speed railways, one inter-city rail service, one express line and one metro". 

Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway and Kunming-Shenzhen High-Speed Railway would be operated across cities and intersected at the new airport, which will strengthen the connection between the west of Guangdong and Guanghzou & Shenzhen, the two first-tier cities in China.  

Author | Eddie 

Revisor | Jersey