Zhuhai was recently designated by the Transport Department of Guangdong Province as a pilot city to expedite Guangdong's transformation into a province with strong transportation capabilities.

Zhuhai, along with the other selected cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Huizhou, will undertake 24 pilot tasks in four areas to cultivate pilot projects with a leading and demonstrative role. These areas encompass infrastructure, technologies, management, and services. The pilot cities will generate a batch of advanced experiences and exemplary achievements that can be replicated and promoted.

Since the start of this year, Zhuhai has been making great progress in constructing its major transportation projects. 

The 31-kilometer (19-mile) Huangmao Sea Channel is divided into eight construction sections and includes two controlling nodes: the Huangmao Sea Channel Bridge and the Gaolan Port Bridge.

The channel is expected to be completed in 2024 and upon operation, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will extend westward, passing through the Honghe Bridge and the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway to establish a connection with the Huangmao Sea Channel. This will form a development axis that extends deep into the urban circle on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary.

Construction site of Huangmao Sea Channel.

The bridge in the initial section of the Xianghai Bridge's west extension line, which stretches 4.2 km (2.6 miles), is near completion. It will connect the bridge with Shuanghu Road, thus linking the city's Western Eco-New Town with Doumen's Xinqing Sci-tech Industrial Park. Upon operation in 2024, it will promote the flow of high-quality resources to Zhuhai's western areas. 

The 29.8-km (18.5-mile) Xianghai Bridge that opened in November last year is the first phase of the planned Xiangzhou-Haiquanwan (Ocean Spring Resort) Expressway project, which is designed as part of the Guangdong provincial highway network.

The L-shaped Xianghai Bridge project also serves as a major east-west transportation artery, connecting multiple city clusters. It is expected to facilitate efficient commutes between Xiangzhou and Doumen districts, cutting travel times to mere 15 minutes.

Phase II of the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway has completed asphalt concrete pavement work, and has begun work on mechanical and electrical equipment installation, traffic safety systems, and greening projects. Currently, the project stands at 95 percent completion and is expected to be ready for traffic by the end of September.

Once operational, the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway will become another traffic artery connecting the eastern and western wings of Zhuhai. Phase II of this project starts from Dalin Town in Jinwan District, where it will connect with Phase I. It will traverse the Jitimen Waterway, pass through the planned Gaolan Port Second Channel, and drives through the Lianwan Mountain tunnel. Emerging from the tunnel, it goes over Zhuhai Avenue, passes through Qiandong and Pingtie Villages in Pingsha Town, and ends at the Gaolan Port Expressway. 

In the east wing of the city, the link renovation project starts at the south end of Zhuhai Xiazha Toll Station and connects with the Zhuhai exit of the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway. This 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mile) link has a construction period of 24 months.

The 17.1-km (10.6-mile) northern section of the Xingye Expressway has been fully connected, and all road surfacing, marking, and wall panel installation work have been completed. Construction on ancillary facilities, such as air wells, traffic lights, monitoring systems, and electromechanical systems, is underway.

In addition, the Phase II of the Zhuhai Airport Urban Rail Transit project features a main line spanning 22.8 km (14.2 miles). Four stations are planned along the line: Jinwan, Hezhou South, Sanzao East, and Zhuhai Airport stations. These trains are capable of reaching a maximum speed of 160 kmph (99.5 mph).

Rendering of Sanzao East Station. [Photos courtesy WeChat account: zhuhaifabu]

Sanzao East Station, which is poised to be the "most beautiful station on the sea," finished installing station signs on July 12. Its interior decoration work is 70 percent complete, and its outdoor platforms are 30 percent complete. 

The entire project is expected to complete all construction work by Aug 30, while trial operations and testing are scheduled to commence in October. It will strive towards full operation by the end of the year.