Route planning in 2009 within Guangzhou changed several times and then a big change, with Xintang in Guangzhou's Zengcheng District chosen as the originating point, straight into Hongmei, Dongguan. This changed the access to the Guangzhou Metro to Line 13, with future access to the planned Line 16.[5][6] Guangzhou–Dongguan–Shenzhen intercity railway originally planned to through operate into Shenzhen Metro's Line 11 to Futian station in central Shenzhen.[7] However, in September 2010, it was announced that this railway will no longer enter through operate via Line 11 into Shenzhen city center and designed as a separate railway service.[8][9]
25 November 2009 – Dongguan–Changan segment started[11]
6 June 2012 – Deletion of Mayong station from plans.[12]
21 September 2012 – Dongguan–Shenzhen section started.[13]
17 October 2012 – Planning extends to Guangzhou East railway station, with renovating and running alongside the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway corridor[14] and the transformation of Jishan and Shipai stations will be upgraded for intercity use.
14 May 2013 – Shenzhen section of the railway adjusted again, terminating at Airport Station, cancelling this line running to Airport East and Qianhaiwan stations.[16]
It is planned in the future to extend this railway further north eventually extending to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Guangzhou North railway station. The extension from Xintang South to Guangzhou North is also known as Xinbaiguang intercity railway (新白广城际铁路).[19]
Southern extension
Originally, the Suishen ICR was planned to enter central Shenzhen. The line was cut back to Shenzhen Airport in 2010.[9] The expansion of the line south of Shenzhen Airport was proposed again in 2019 but this time only up to Qianhai.[20][21] The extension will be underground, 15.15 km (9.41 mi) long with three stations.[22] In June 2020, NDRC approved a further extension beyond Qianhai deeper in to central Shenzhen. The extension will add about 10 km (6.2 mi) of line and additionally serve Baishizhou and Huanggang Port.[18] The southern extension is expected to be complete in 2025.[23]
