Changshou-Fuling Expressway Opened to Traffic

Changfu (Changshou-Fuling) Expressway was formally opened to traffic on December 27. With the connection of Changfu Expressway and Yuchang (Chongqing-Changshou) Expressway, which was completed in last May, the first overland thoroughfare leading from Chongqing to the Three Gorges Dam areas has been put into operation.

Running through Chongqing from east to west, Changfu Expressway is an artery from the urban area of Chongqing to the minority regions. Its operation will help play a big role in guaranteeing the immigrants to evacuate from the Three Gorges Dam region and fully exert the role of Chongqing as a driving force of a metropolitan city in providing aid to the impoverished mountain areas. In a mere stretch of 32-kilometer along the expressway, there are nine extra-large and large bridges, 18 medium-sized and small bridges and four tunnels.

The opening to traffic of the trunk road connecting the main urban area of Chongqing and the Three Gorges Dam region also marks the beginning of a substantial change in Chongqing's traffic pattern. Since Chongqing was put into the list of municipalities under the direct jurisdiction of the central government, it has decided to go at the strategic goal with "changes to take place in five years and thoroughfare to be achieved within eight years time" in the traffic development. According to the program, Chongqing will build six expressways, prior to the year 2010, i.e., Chengyu (Chengdu-Chongqing) Expressway, Yuwan (Chongqing-Wanzhou) Expressway, Changfu (Changshou-Fuling) Expressway, Yuqian (Chongqing-Guizhou) Expressway, Yuda (Chongqing-Dachuan), Yunan (Chongqing-Nanchuan) Expressway and Yushui (Chongqing-Suining) Expressways with Chongqing at the center. It will also build a trunk network of highways from Fuling to Xiushan and construct an outer ring and second ring freeways round the main urban area.

The passenger transportation system on waters, and the original main traffic route from urban area of Chongqing to the Three Gorges Dam regions will gradually be reshaped into transportation lines for tourism purpose.



By PD Online staff member Du Minghua


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