China's top economic planner has approved a high-speed rail project connecting Beijing's Tongzhou district, the new home to most city government agencies, and the industrial city of Tangshan in neighboring Hebei province.
Jingtang Intercity Railway Co has gained approval from the National Development and Reform Commission to build the 148.7 kilometer rail project with a total investment of 44.9 billion yuan, according to a statement posted on the commission's website.
The project is a significant element of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integrated development plan, as the infrastructure connectivity will be beneficial to regional economic growth and make full use of tourist resources along the route.
The railway is expected to be completed by 2020. The trains will travel at speeds of between 200 km per hour and 350 km/h and stop at eight stations in cities including Tianjin, and Langfang and Tangshan in Hebei.