North China's Shanxi province will expedite the construction of multi-level integrated transport hubs and promote the development of smart transportation over the next five years, according to a press conference held by the Information Office of Shanxi Provincial Government on Sept 13. 

The province will accelerate the construction of two national comprehensive transport hubs in Taiyuan and Datong cities, and two regional hubs in Linfen and Changzhi cities, and build about 60 integrated passenger and freight transport hub stations. 

A dedicated big data center will be set up to promote the sharing, collaboration, and management of transport-related data across various modes and related fields. Next-generation information technology will be applied to transform and upgrade the traditional transportation industry, fostering the development of intelligent highways, smart stations, smart logistics, smart public transportation, and smart travel. 

By the end of 2024, Shanxi will make 117 counties, county-level cities and districts connected by expressways, and unblock three provincial exits. It will accelerate the expansion and renovation of busy sections of the national comprehensive transportation network. By 2027, the total length of operating expressways in the province is expected to surpass 7,000 kilometers. 

In terms of provincial and national highways, the province will upgrade and renovate a number of provincial and national highways to ensure smooth and efficient intercity connections. By the end of 2027, the total length of first-class provincial and national highways will exceed 4,000 km, with 11 prefecture-level cities achieving dual connectivity of expressways and first-class highways. 

As for rural roads, Shanxi will ensure that the construction of three tourist highways – Great Wall No 1, Yellow River No 1 and Taihang No 1 which extends for 13,000 km – will be completed in 2024. By the end of 2025, over 60 percent of villages will have double-lane roads, and all villages with 30 households or more will have paved roads.