Work on phase II of the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway has accelerated, with the 2-km (1-mile) No 1 and 450-m (492-yd) No 2 Weidong tunnels beneath Lianwan Mt connected in the end of March. Final additions, such as asphalt pavement, as well as mechanical and electrical installations, will begin, with the goal of completion at the end of the year and beginning operations in the first half of 2023. 

Jitimen Grand Bridge has finished 58 percent of the concrete pouring for beams, while the precast beam erection of the project's bridge sections has been 75 percent completed. 

Construction site of Jitimen Grand Bridge [Photo by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]

The Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway connects Jiangmen-Zhuhai Expressway and Honghe Bridge in the east, and links the Huangmao Sea Channel via interchanges at Gaolan Port. The six-lane Phase II starts from West Jinwan Exit of the Dalin Interchange and goes all the way west to the intersection of Zhuhai Avenue, where a Pingsha entrance and exit ramp near Beishui Road will be set up. The other entrance-exit ramp will be built near Pingsha New Town to provide motorists access to the Gaolan Port Expressway and Huangmao Sea Channel.

With a maximum speed limit of 100 kmph (62 mph), Phase II of the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway will greatly reduce commuting time between the city's east and west wings. People traveling from Xiangzhou District will be able to reach Pingsha Town in 30 minutes and those from Pingsha New Town can reach Gongbei in around 40 minutes.

Together with the Huangmao Sea Channel, which is scheduled to commence operation in 2024, the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway will enable motorists from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to reach Jiangmen City via expressways.