The publicity period for the investment proposal for the first-phase of the Quzhou-Lishui Railway concluded on Feb 28.

This means that construction of the railway will soon get underway.

The railway will pass through five mountainous regions in southwestern Zhejiang province, namely Quzhou's Qujiang district and Longyou county as well as Lishui's Suichang county, Songyang county, and Liandu district.

The stronger connectivity resulting from the railway is expected to promote the integrated development of the three cities of Quzhou, Lishui, and Wenzhou, as well as encourage more industrial companies in the eastern Yangtze River Delta region to invest in the less-developed mountainous regions and boost the local economy.

The first-phase project is focused on the Songyang-Lishui section of the railway. The section will span 65.24 kilometers and cost 9.086 billion yuan ($1.437 billion) to build. The investment will come from Zhejiang Communications Investment Group and the Lishui municipal government.

The administrative procedures for the appraisal and approval of the second-phase project, which is focused on the Songyang-Quzhou section, have been initiated as well. The construction of the second phase is expected to start by the end of this year.