The first phase of Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong railway will open tomorrow, cutting travel time from Shanghai to Nantong City in east China’s Jiangsu Province to one hour and six minutes from three and half hours, the China Railway Shanghai Group said yesterday.

The number of trains on the route will be different on working days, weekends and festivals, with up to 44 round trips a day, the group said.

There will also be six cargo train round trips a day.

The railway ends the need for a transfer in Nanjing City in Jiangsu Province, cutting travel time between Shanghai and Nantong significantly, according to the group.

The first phase of the project is the Zhaodian-Huangdu section of 143 kilometers and nine stations.

It starts in Nantong and ends in Shanghai’s Jiading District.

It crosses the Yangtze River, and its nine stations are Zhaodian, Nantong West, Zhangjiagang North, Zhangjiagang, Changshu, Taicang Port, Taicang, Taichang South and Anting West.

It has a designed speed of 200 kilometers per hour.

It will improve the rail network of the Yangtze River Delta region and regional transport system. And it is of major significance in promoting regional integration of the Yangtze River Delta.