During project preparation, the area between Yichang (Hubei Province) and Wanzhou (Chongqing Municipality) was economically backward. The population was 3.9 million, with rural poverty incidence estimated to be about 38.4%. Because of its remoteness, people in the project area had limited access to economic and social opportunities. Frequent accidents occurred on the roads in the area, which were congested and poorly maintained.
A 377-kilometer (km) missing link on one of the main east–west railway routes, if constructed, could shorten routes across the north–south and east–west axes, and reduce travel time and distance between Shanghai and other economic centers on the east coast and Chongqing and Chengdu, major growth poles in the western region. This railway segment was to traverse eight counties, five of which were considered poor. Significant traffic diversion from all modes to the shortest east–west railroad was expected from the construction of the segment.
This report validates the completion report’s assessment of the project. IED overall assessment: Successful.