Reply of the National Development and Reform Commission on Adjusting the Third Phase Construction Plan of Suzhou Urban Rail Transit

Development and Reform Foundation [2022] No. 203

Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission:

Your Committee's "Request for Instructions on Reporting the Adjustment of the Third Phase of Suzhou Urban Rail Transit Construction Planning (2021-2026)" (Su Fa Gai Ji Fa [2021] No. 1011) has been received. After research and consultation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the approval is as follows:

1. Overall situation

In order to improve the multi-level rail transit network and support the optimal development of the city, it is agreed in principle to adjust the "Suzhou Urban Rail Transit Phase III Construction Plan (2018-2023)" (referred to as the "Plan").

Second, the main adjustment content

(1) Implementation of extension works for the northern section of Line 2, Line 4 and Line 7:

The northern extension of Line 2 starts from Aegehao Road Station and ends at Qihe Station, with a length of about 4.72 kilometers. Both are underground lines. The project investment is 3.267 billion yuan, of which the direct engineering investment is 2.248 billion yuan.

The northern extension of Line 4 starts from Kwun Tong Road Station and ends at Longdao Bang Station, with a length of about 7.42 kilometers. Both are underground lines. The project investment is 4.542 billion yuan, of which the direct engineering investment is 3.247 billion yuan.

The northern extension of Line 7 starts from Chunfeng Road Station and ends at Moyang Station, with a length of about 7.44 kilometers. Both are underground lines. The project investment is 5.096 billion yuan, of which the direct engineering investment is 3.180 billion yuan.

(2) The planning period is extended to 2026

Except for the above adjustments, the rest of the planning scheme is still implemented in accordance with the original approval requirements of the "Planning".

3. Funding arrangements

During the construction period, the financial contribution of the Suzhou Municipal Government and the relevant district governments will account for no less than 40% of the total investment, totaling 5.162 billion yuan, and the remaining funds will be settled by domestic bank loans and other market-based financing methods.

Fourth, the next stage of work

(1) In the process of planning and implementation, in accordance with the principles of modernity, safety, efficiency, greenness and economy, it is necessary to coordinate the urban functional layout, urban development process, construction conditions and financial resources, grasp the scale and rhythm of construction, and do what we can and in an orderly manner. Promote project construction.

(2) In-depth demonstration of the project construction plan. Optimize the project construction plan and construction sequence, reasonably control the project cost, and improve the line operation speed and network service level. Great importance is attached to the protection of cultural relics. The route direction and station setting should avoid the cultural relics body. Effective measures should be taken to strengthen the protection of cultural relics for projects constructed in the protection scope of cultural relics protection units and construction control areas. Further study the construction plan of relevant projects crossing the high-speed railway, strengthen the protection of railway subgrades and bridges, and reduce the impact on railway transportation as much as possible.

(3) Strengthen the connection between urban rail transit and major transportation hubs such as Suzhou North Railway Station, and do a good job in transfer design. Coordinate the planning and construction of urban rail transit and high-speed railways, intercity railways, etc., conduct in-depth research on the comprehensive development of station hubs, make good connections between stations and surrounding shopping malls, communities, schools, etc. with high passenger flow density, scientifically and rationally arrange entrances and exits, and improve passenger travel safety nature, convenience, and improve the comprehensive development efficiency of land.

(4) The project shall be examined and approved (approved) strictly in accordance with the approved construction plan and authority, and the capital construction plan shall not be changed at will. Before approval (approval), a qualified third-party institution should be entrusted to carry out project evaluation, establish a publicity and information disclosure system, and do a good job in preventing social stability risks. The project approval document will be copied to our commission, and the project construction progress will be reported in a timely manner as required. In accordance with the relevant national laws, regulations and rules, standardize the bidding behavior.

(5) Effectively prevent local government debt risks. Increase financial constraints, implement local financial contributions in strict accordance with the planning approval requirements, and incorporate them into the local financial budget expenditure plan on an annual basis. Project construction can be started only when conditions are met. Establish a sustainable and stable construction fund guarantee mechanism. The project financing model and the proportion of government financial investment during the construction period shall not be adjusted arbitrarily. Debt funds are strictly prohibited to replace financial funds. The source of repayment of financing funds is strictly implemented. Disguised financing in the name of PPP, or borrowing in disguised form by promising to repurchase the principal of social capital investment, promise of minimum income, etc., the debt risk shall not be transferred to the local government in various names such as project feasibility gap subsidies, and local government special bonds shall not be allowed. Used as capital for urban rail transit projects. Our committee will work with relevant parties to carry out special inspections on the implementation of project funds.

(6) Effectively guarantee the quality and safety of project construction and operation. During the implementation of the project, it is necessary to focus on improving the safety protection ability to deal with extreme weather and other disasters. It is necessary to attach great importance to construction safety and quality safety, strengthen the supervision of the whole process of project construction, and effectively prevent project construction safety risks. In the preliminary work of project feasibility study and design, fully consider operational safety and service requirements, and strengthen the training and reserve of enterprise talent team in the operation stage. Continue to improve operational service level and efficiency, strengthen cost management, enhance revenue capability, and achieve sustainable development.

(7) Your committee and relevant departments are requested to strengthen supervision and inspection during the construction process, and do a good job in post-project evaluation and completion acceptance according to relevant regulations, deal with irregularities in a timely manner, and report to our committee in a timely manner in case of major problems. Editor / Xu Shengpeng