The first phase of the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway is paved with asphalt and now traffic safety facilities are being installed and landscaping completed in time for the Sept 28-Oct 3 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China).

Spanning 9.35 km (5.8 miles), the Jinwan Road-Airport Expressway section has six-lanes and entrance-exit ramps on both North Airport and Jinwan roads. The design speed is 100 kmph (62 mph).

Rollers smooth asphalt [Photo provided to Guanhai App]

When it opens, motorists traveling between Xiangzhou District and Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport will use the Jialin Mt Tunnel, access the Honghe Bridge and Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway via the Hongwan Interchange, and transfer to the Airport Expressway via Dalin Interchange. Time for the entire trip will be within 30 minutes.

In the meantime, construction of an upper structure of the second phase will be completed by the end of next year.

Also known as the west extension line of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the 34.16-km (21-mile) Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway is a significant part of Zhuhai's Six Horizontal & Ten Vertical transport network. It connects the Honghe Bridge in the east to the upcoming Huangmao Sea Channel Bridge in the west, and Jiangmen-Zhuhai Expressway in the north.

Upon completion, the entire expressway will expedite east-west travel, boost development of Zhuhai's west wing and help establish the city as a comprehensive transportation hub on the west bank of the Pearl River estuary.