City highways upgraded in time for colossal crowds

Renovations on third- and fourth-batch urban highways are to be completed in time for several-hundred-thousand travelers from around the world who will attend Airshow China 2018 from Nov 6 to 11 in Jinwan.

The previous China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2016 reportedly attracted 320,000 visitors. Delegations required hundreds of dedicated coaches, shuttles, inter-city passenger lines, and available taxis. Air-show lanes were committed on highways and peripheral parking lots added or used during the event.

Before beginning the latest improvements, the Zhuhai Highway Bureau first solicited and considered public opinions, it was announced on Jan 29.

In 2017, Zhuhai initiated the renovation of 39 urban highways that total about 64 km (40 miles) in length. Work on the first four has been completed, and that of seven on the second list will commence in March.

Zhuhai urban highway [Photo by Zeng Yao / Zhujiang Evening Post]

Preparation for the next two multi-lane roads is well under way, as the bureau recently made available for public review retrofits that involve asphalt paving and sidewalks. The results will be submitted to the Zhuhai Development & Reform Bureau for further analysis before construction is allowed.

Arterial Yuehai and Guihua roads in Gongbei and Fenghuang Road in Xiangzhou are included in the third set slated for renovation. Bus lanes will be added to Yuehai Road's Gangchang-Shuiwan Road section and Guihua Road's Jiuzhou Avenue-Changsheng intersection.

Of 15 highways in the fourth grouping, only Baishi needs to be widened. The others will have non-motor vehicle lanes upgraded.

The 12th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition will be held at the Zhuhai Airshow Center in Jinwan District. It is the largest air show in the Chinese mainland and has been held in eleven years in Zhuhai since 1996. This year there will be displays of more than 130 planes from some 40 countries.