The Guangdong-Hainan cross-sea rail link is expected to introduce a long-delayed passenger service as early as next month.

The project connects Guangdong with the island province in south China by way of a 22-kilometer ferry link and 345 kilometers of railway track. It has to date only been used to transport cargo. The trains board ferries and will give passengers an uninterrupted journey. China Radio International reported Tuesday.

A Ministry of Railways inspection team has reportedly finished its final evaluation of the project in readiness for the passenger service. Earlier, the Ministry of Communications conducted a similar evaluation. The two ministries will jointly decide when to open the passenger service between Hainan's capital city Haikou and Guangzhou.

The Guangdong-Hainan Railway Company built and operates the project, which cost 4.8 billion yuan or nearly 580 million US dollars.

The project has been under intense media criticism over big losses and the long delay in the introduction of passenger services.

Source: CRI news