Vientiane–Boten Railway

Vientiane–Boten Railway
Overview
Status Under construction
Locale Laos
Operation
Commenced 2016[1]
Planned opening 2021
Technical
Line length 414[2] km (257 mi)
Number of tracks 1
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification Overhead line
Operating speed 160 km/h (passengers_
120 km/h (cargo)[1]

The Vientiane–Boten Railway is a 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge that runs for 414 kilometres (257 mi) between the capital of Laos, Vientiane and Boten on the border between China and Laos, that will be connected to Chinese rail system by Yuxi–Mohan railway. It is built using Chinese technology by China Railway Group.[1][3]

Background

Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, which hinders trade of goods. A railway link through Laos would greatly reduce cargo transit times and transportation costs between Laos and China. The railway would also be a link in the Kunming–Singapore railway network, as well as a program within the One Belt One Road Initiative.

History

The first talks about the railway linking Laos and China were in 2001, Laotian and Chinese politicians both confirmed the plans in 2009. After the corruption scandal of China's minister of railways Liu Zhijun, the start of construction was delayed until early 2016.[4] The railway is built to China’s GB Grade 1 standard (suitable for 160 km/h passenger and 120 km/h freight trains), construction began at Luang Prabang on December 25, 2016.

Financing

The cost of the project is estimated as 5.95 billion US dollar, to be financed 12% by Laos directly, 28% by China, with the remaining 60% being financed by loans.[4] Once completed, it is expected that the railway will reduce cargo transport costs by half.[3]

Infrastructure

47% of the railway will be in tunnels and 15% will pass over viaducts, spread over 75 tunnels and 167 bridges.[4] As of 2017 year end, the construction phase is 20% completed.[5] The final station would be Thanaleng railway station, not Vientiane Station (under construction).

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Laos-China railway brings changes to Laos". China Daily. 7 August 2017.
  2. ↑ "China-Laos railway project set to be complete by late 2021". People's Daily. 20 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 "China-Laos railway on track as project set to be completed in 2021, despite challenges". 13 November 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Land-locked Laos on track for controversial China rail link". 24 July 2017.
  5. ↑ http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30338175

See also

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.