China Railway 14th Bureau Group (CRCC14) has announced that the tunnel for Beijing Subway Line 17 has been fully drilled, following the completion of its middle section.
The line extends 49.7km through Beijing, running entirely underground from Future Science Park North in Changping District to Jiahuihu Station in Tongzhou District.
It traverses the four administrative districts of Tongzhou, Chaoyang, Dongcheng, and Changping, as well as the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.
Line 17 operates as a high-capacity express route in a north-south direction, comprising 21 stations, 11 of which are transfer points to other subway lines. It uses 8-car Type A trains, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 100km/h, to enhance connectivity and reduce congestion on other lines.
The line aims to ease passenger volumes and improve the overall efficiency of the subway network.
The southern section, spanning 15.8km between Jiahuihu and Shilihe, began trial operations on 31 December 2021. The northern section, covering 24.9km from Future Science Park North to Workers’ Stadium (Gongrentiyuchang), commenced operations on 30 December 2023.
The completion of the middle section signifies progress toward the full operation of the line, targeted for the end of 2024. Once operational, Line 17 will connect with several existing lines, including Line 1, Line 10, and Line 13, helping to distribute passenger traffic and manage network congestion efficiently.
The total travel time for the complete route is projected at 56 minutes. The route will serve major residential and commercial areas such as Wangjing and Taiyanggong, facilitating transport across the districts of Changping, Dongcheng, Chaoyang, Tongzhou, and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.
