Recently, Beijing officially released its 2026 Rail Transit Construction Plan. This year, the city will advance the construction of nine urban rail transit lines which go on for 150.6 kilometers, and two suburban rail transit lines that go on for 90.5 kilometers.

This year, Beijing will proceed with the construction of nine sections of rail transit lines, including Line 22 (Hongmiao – Pinggu), Daxing Airport Express (Caoqiao – Lize Shangwuqu), Phase 1 of Line 3 (Guanzhuanglu Xikou-Caogezhuang Bei (N)), Line 12 (Dongbabei –  Dongba Beijie), Line 28, Line 13 for capacity expansion and upgrade, Phase 1 of Line M101, Branch Line of Line 1, and the connecting section between Yizhuang Line and Line 5 and 10.

Two suburban rail lines are also involved in the plan, including the section for the overall improvement project of the Beijing Suburban Railway Sub-Center Line (Beijingxi Zhan – Liangxiang) and the Suburban Railway Northeast Loop Line. Other projects, such as the construction of Wangjing Nan (S) Station of Capital Airport Express, will also be carried out.

Line 22 (Hongmiao–Pinggu) will be the first inter-provincial urban rail transit line between Beijing and Hebei. Starting with Dongdaqiao in Chaoyang District in the west to Pinggu New Town in the east, it goes through Chaoyang, Tongzhou, and Pinggu districts of Beijing, as well as Sanhe City of Hebei Province. The line has a total of 20 planned stations, including 15 in Beijing and five in Hebei, connecting key functional areas such as the CBD's core area, the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC), Yanjiao (in Hebei) and Pinggu New Town.

Diagram of Line 22 (Pinggu Line) of Beijing Subway

Following the completion of the overall improvement project of the Beijing Suburban Railway Sub-Center Line (Beijingxi Zhan–Liangxiang) this year, the line will meet the conditions required for initial operation. Two more stations will be added, including Yamenkou Dong (E) and Fangshan Dong (E), whilst the three existing stations will be renovated, including Liangxiang, Houlücun and Beijingxi Zhan. There will also be a new double-track section constructed between Liangxiang and Fangshan Dong (E) stations. Upon opening, the number of daily trains departing will increase from the current six pairs to 18 pairs.

Diagram of the section for the overall improvement project of the Beijing Suburban Railway Sub-Center Line

In addition, to further improve the experience for passengers, efforts will be made this year to make one station (Hongmiao Station on Line 14) operational. Four entrances/exits are also expected to be in operational condition this year, including Entrance/Exit B2 at Wangjing Nan (S) Station on Line 14, Entrance/Exit B at Yongdingmenwai Station on Line 14, Entrance/Exit A2 at Huoqiying Station on Line 10, and Entrance/Exit C at Jijiamiao Station on Line 10.

(Source: Beijing Fabu)

(Photos via the Beijing Major Projects Construction Headquarters Office)