On October 25th, construction on the exterior decoration of Yichun West Station, the northernmost high-speed rail station currently under construction in China, has been completed. The project now moves into the phase of interior decoration.

Yichun West Station is notable for being the highest latitude high-speed rail station in China, experiencing the greatest temperature variations. It is also the largest new station along the Harbin-Yichun high-speed rail line, covering a total area of 19,985 square meters, which includes three above-ground floors and one basement level. Upon completion, the station will accommodate up to 1,500 passengers at a time.

The station’s design features the theme “Forest Sea, Snowfield; Pine Rhythm, Dragon Soaring,” integrating elements from the region such as red pine, the Lesser Khingan Mountains, and the Songhua River into its color scheme, structural design, and decorations, thereby showcasing the unique cultural characteristics of Yichun, known as the “Forest Capital.”

One of the station’s standout architectural features is its eaves, which utilize a large-span cantilever structure. The eaves extend outwards with a maximum span of 13 meters and a steep slope of nearly 76 degrees, creating a wave-like appearance that presents both complexity and formidable construction challenges.

The construction team at China Railway Construction Group Co., Ltd. has employed advanced 3D scanning and BIM modeling technologies to accurately guide the installation of the arched column framework. Additionally, the station’s exterior curtain wall is made of custom-produced aluminum panels, each assigned a unique “identity number” to ensure that they fit together seamlessly during assembly.

In a notable innovation for the station’s platform canopies, the use of prefabricated concrete technology has significantly enhanced construction efficiency. This method, which features factory-prefabricated components and mechanized lifting, has cut down material use and waste. In just 24 days, 74 spans of these prefabricated canopies were installed, representing a substantial improvement in efficiency compared to traditional cast-in-place methods.

Upon the completion of the Harbin-Yichun high-speed rail line, travel time for passengers between Harbin and Yichun will reduce from approximately seven hours to around two hours. This development will greatly enhance travel options for residents traveling between Harbin and Yichun, facilitate convenience in transportation, and contribute to the expansion of the “one-hour, two-hour high-speed rail transport zone” centered around Harbin. Ultimately, it will help integrate major urban clusters along the route into China’s railway network, promoting coordinated regional economic development.