Wuhan opened Metro Line 12 on Oct 29, confirmed by the China Urban Rail Transit
Association as China’s longest metro loop. The 59.9 km underground line has 37
stations, links seven central districts, connects Hankou and Wuchang railway
hubs, and provides interchanges with 18 existing or planned lines; end-to-end
travel takes about 96 minutes. The route crosses the Yangtze twice and the Han
River once, includes an ultra-long under-river shield tunnel, and reportedly
overcame high water pressure, complex strata and long-distance underwater shield
tunneling challenges. Described as a demonstration project for cross-river
tunnel-cluster construction and large ring-line development, the line will ease
cross-river commuting bottlenecks and support construction of an integrated
transport hub for core cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
