US$12.85 billion for new Chinese highways

Highway works worth nearly US$12.85 billion are being planned in China. These are for the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, the Qionglai-Lushan-Yingjing Expressway, the South Lake Interconnection to the Zhapu-Jiaxing-Suzhou Expressway and a stretch of the G571 Subei-Ruoqiang highway.  

Upgrading the Wuhan-Yichang stretch of the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway will cost $6.25 billion. The road will be widened along a 266km stretch with the addition of extra lanes to boost capacity and the project requires the construction or rebuilding of 27 interchanges. Maintenance areas, tolling stations, service area and parking facilities will also be built. There will also be a number of new connecting roads being built as part of the project.

The 114.4km Qionglai-Lushan-Yingjing Expressway Project is worth nearly $3.9 billion. The expressway will be built by Sichuan Road and Waterway Construction Engineering Co, Sichuan Chuanjiao Road & Bridge Co, Sichuan Transportation Construction Group, Sichuan Road & Bridge Group Co and Sichuan Tibetan Area Expressway Co.  

Bidding is underway for the SG02 bid stretch of the South Lake link to the Zhapu-Jiaxing-Suzhou Expressway. The route will feature four lanes in either direction, with three major interchanges, a service area and four tolling stations. The project will cost over $1 billion. The project is being managed by the Jiaxing Public Resources Trading Network.  

Bidding is also underway for a stretch of the Subei-Ruoqiang highway in Gansu Province. The project is expected to cost nearly $1.7 billion. The route will measure 202km. The project will be handled under the BOT model. 

In addition, bidding is underway for a stretch of the S11 Chaohuang Expressway. The work is expected to take 48 months to construct and cost around $1.4 billion. The package of works includes a 30-year maintenance and operation concession. The route will feature four tunnel sections and 18 bridges. It will also provide a link between the G4221 Shanghai-Wuhan Expressway and the Mingshan Expressway.