The last steel beam for the southern ramp of Niwanmen Bridge, a node of the Zhuhai Avenue expansion project, was installed on March 2, moving one step closer to the project's goal of opening by the year end.

Zhuhai Avenue is a key passage that connects Zhuhai's east and west wings, and as of late, it has seen significant traffic flow and congestion. The 4.55-kilometer (2.83-mile) expansion project will add ramps to expand the current artery, and the 666-m (728-yd) ramp bridges will be built at both north and south sides of Niwanmen Bridge. Upon operation, the bridge will have 12 dual lanes with a supporting slow traffic system.

Construction site of Niwanmen Bridge [Photo by Li Jianshu / Guanhai App]

Staff members from CRCC Harbour & Channel Engineering Bureau Group, the project's constructors, noted that the last five steel beams for the north ramp bridge are currently undergoing installation and are expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. Other works such as the Hezhou Tunnel, pedestrian overpasses, and roadbeds are also under construction.

The Hezhou Tunnel, an underground passage near the Hezhou North Bus Stop, has been drilled through and will start interior decoration soon, stated a Zhuhai Communication Group subsidiary, which is responsible for the passage's construction.

The tunnel, which is located near the entrance of the Jiangmen-Zhuhai Expressway, is now moving forward with main structure construction. It is expected to meet operational conditions in August, and is preparing for the following works for roads above it.

Once completed, Zhuhai Avenue will have more travel facilities such as non-motorized vehicle lanes, a pedestrian overpass, an underground passage, and a traffic light intersection.

Upon operation, Zhuhai Avenue will have dual eight lanes that will go under the Jiangmen-Zhuhai Expressway intersection. In addition, the six-lane ramp roads will connect to the Jiangmen-Zhuhai Expressway and Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway, which will increase transportation efficiency.

Its main line will have a maximum speed limit of 100 km per hour (62 mph), while the speed limit for the Hezhou Tunnel will be 80 km/h (50 mph).

Moreover, the city has been promoting the construction of a batch of fast pass renovation projects, such as the section of Zhuhai Avenue west of the Jinwan Interchange and Jiuzhou Avenue's Qianshan Interchange-Xingye Express section. These projects will help to establish a transportation network that allows motorists in Zhuhai to access expressways within 15 minutes.