The long-awaited Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Railway starts operation on July 1.

The first trains of opposite routes between Nantong and Shanghai are expected to start operation at about 11 am on July 1 and at the same time, the "Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Railway" will be officially named.

The new Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Railway line will shorten the travel time between the two cities from 3.5 hours to around one hour.

The first phase of the project crosses the Yangtze River from Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province and enters Shanghai through Zhangjiagang, Changshu and Taicang in Jiangsu province.

A new bridge which links Zhangjiagang and Nantong, Jiangsu province, will be opened together with the rail line. The bridge features a six-lane expressway on its upper deck and four railway tracks on its lower deck.

Stay tuned to China Daily app to watch LIVE the opening ceremony at 9 am (Beijing Time) in Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province.

The livestreaming was provided by Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation.