Pingnan embracing high-speed traffic network

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2013-07-18

In the aftermath of typhoon Soulik, machines and workers could be seen along Provincial Rd 303, on July 16, busily rebuilding a part of it that connected the two towns of Xiadi and Qianfenxi, in Fujian province, to deal with the delays caused by the storm damage.

The county of Pingnan, where Xiadi is located, has plans for five road projects for the second half of the year, referred to collectively as the “roads to every town”. The project totals 65.6 kilometers and is currently in the stage of removing old houses and inviting bids on the work, which is due to begin in September.

County plans call for completing four of the projects, totaling 112 km, during the 12th Five-year Plan (2011 – 2015). It has published a construction plan and management measures for project developers, county leaders, and townspeople, to ensure the work goes smoothly. It has also set aside 10 million yuan ($1.62 million) for preparatory work and 192.4 million yuan for the construction work itself, or 2.6 million/km. The towns themselves are in charge of the building removal and the construction work will start in the towns without any obstacles and move on to the others after the preparation work is finished.

Pingnan officials say they will work hard to complete the projects by the end of 2014 and escape a past of damaged asphalt roads and towns with roads that were worse than those in villages. When they are completed, there will be a high-speed traffic network centering on the county that will allow travelers to reach any town in just half an hour.

Edited by Roger Bradshaw