The Chinese government has approved a project to build the first underwater bullet train route in the country. The line will connect Ningbo, a port city south of Shanghai, to Zhoushan, an island chain off the east coast.

The proposed underwater tunnel will be a part of the 77-km Yong-Zhou Railway plan to boost tourism and create a two-hour-commute zone within Zhejiang province. Within the 77 km railway route, some 70.92 km of tracks will be newly built, including a 16.2 km undersea section.

The new route will transport travellers from Hangzhou — capital city of Zhejiang — to Zhoushan in 80 minutes. The current journey takes about 4.5 hours by bus or a 2.5-hour drive by personal vehicle.

Seven stations are planned for the entire route, including four new stations and three redeveloped ones. At a whopping 25.2 billion yuan ($3 billion), the project is expected to begin next year and is due for completion in 2025.