On the morning of February 25, the first project of Ningbo's third-phase urban rail transit construction plan—the International Conference Center Station on the east extension of Line 4 (civil works pre-embedded for transportation supporting facilities of the International Conference Center)—officially started construction.  

According to the approved third-phase construction plan, the east extension of Rail Transit Line 4 starts from Dongqian Lake Station of Line 4 and extends eastward for one station and one section. The line is about 2.5 kilometers long, using underground laying, with one station; the civil works are constructed simultaneously with the International Conference Center. The International Conference Center Station is an underground two-level island platform station, with a main body total length of 362 meters and two entrances/exits (plus three reserved interfaces).

The construction site of Ningbo Rail Transit Line 4 is located next to the construction site of Ningbo International Conference Center in Dongqian Lake. With the start order, the site roared with machinery as the first trenching operation for the underground diaphragm wall began, presenting a scene of vigorous work. After commencement, the station main body will be constructed using the open-cut sequential method.

“According to the commissioning time of the International Conference Center, the station construction schedule is tight, and the main civil structure needs to be completed in the first half of next year.” said the relevant person in charge of the consortium of China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd. and Ningbo Communications Engineering Construction Group. It is planned to complete the underground diaphragm wall, foundation pit excavation, station topping-out, river channel relocation, and other operations in the next more than one year, providing conditions for the subsequent restoration of the road above the station and meeting the commissioning needs of the International Conference Center.

It is understood that since the bidding was completed on January 15, 2021, Ningbo Rail Transit has actively coordinated and deployed, clarified responsibilities, set node targets, and sorted out various preparatory works before commencement. “During the Spring Festival, more than 30 workers on the site jointly completed the preliminary preparations such as the installation of temporary facilities, site leveling, water supply, and power supply. Now, machinery and equipment such as trenching machines, crawler cranes, and excavators are in place, making adequate preparations for the station's commencement and rapid opening of the work face.”