China Builds World’s Longest and First Intercity Maglev Line
Construction of the world's longest maglev line began in China on November 11, 2024. The new connection between Changsha and Liuyang in Hunan Province will reach a total length of 48.7 kilometers when complete and is also the world's first intercity maglev line.
Construction of the world’s longest urban maglev line began in China on November 11, 2024. The new connection between Changsha and Liuyang in Hunan Province will reach a total length of 48.7 kilometers when complete and is also the world’s first intercity maglev line.
Extension of the line in Changsha
The line is based on an urban maglev system developed by the Chinese company CRRC. An 18.55-kilometer maglev line connecting the South Railway Station with Changsha Huanghua International Airport already opened in Changsha in 2016. This line, which operates at a top speed of 140 km/h, is now being extended by the new line, which allows speeds of up to 160 km/h.
Construction plan
The intercity maglev line is being built in two phases. In the first phase, a 39.5-kilometer section between Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Jili will be built. Construction is being carried out by Sinohydro Engineering Bureau 8, a subsidiary of the Power Construction Corporation of China. The cost of this section is about 10.44 billion yuan (US$1.45 billion), and completion is planned for 2029.
Transport benefits
The new maglev line is expected to cut travel time between Changsha and Liuyang in half and enable better connections within the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan city cluster. It will thus not only relieve traffic in the region but also contribute to the economic development of the surrounding cities.
With the world’s longest urban and first intercity maglev line, China is setting new standards in transport and showing the potential of this innovative technology for the future of local and regional public transport.
Interestingly, this line is to be exactly as long as the world’s longest maglev line in Japan (the L0 Shinkansen test line). After its extension currently under way, however, that line will be 438 km long, and will then be the longest in the world.
