Upgraded expressway network reshapes city's traffic
2025-10-22 20:10:52
By Hu Yikai.
Yichang's expressway network is transforming the city's traffic landscape. "Yichang's expressway system now spans 141 kilometers in operation, with a density of 0.64 km/km² and 59 completed interchanges," said Zhang Peng, Deputy Director of the Yichang Urban Construction Project Management Center.
One section of the Gangyao Road Interchange. Photo by Li Boyan.
The Gangyao Road Interchange, known as a "super interchange," is currently the largest and most complex in Yichang’s urban area. Its 12 newly constructed ramps stretch a total of 5.25 kilometers. This structure connects Sanxia Avenue and Gangyao Road while adding new ramps to Juxiang Avenue, significantly alleviating congestion in the Zhongnan Road area.
Meanwhile, the main line of Huaxi Road, a two-way six-lane north-south artery, is taking shape. Nicknamed the "vertical arterial road to the river," the 19-kilometer expressway represents a total investment of 2.97 billion yuan (US$417 million). It serves as a key corridor for the city's northward expansion and provides direct access to Yichangbei Station. Once open, the commute from downtown to Yichangbei Station will be cut from about 40 minutes to just 15 minutes.
Construction on several other expressway projects is also accelerating, including the Yiling Yangtze River Bridge extension and the third phase of Xiazhou Avenue. In addition, the Dongfang Avenue extension project is set to start soon.
Yang Xue, Li Boyan, and Zhou Hanfei also contributed to this story.
Yichang's expressway network is transforming the city's traffic landscape. "Yichang's expressway system now spans 141 kilometers in operation, with a density of 0.64 km/km² and 59 completed interchanges," said Zhang Peng, Deputy Director of the Yichang Urban Construction Project Management Center.
One section of the Gangyao Road Interchange. Photo by Li Boyan.The Gangyao Road Interchange, known as a "super interchange," is currently the largest and most complex in Yichang’s urban area. Its 12 newly constructed ramps stretch a total of 5.25 kilometers. This structure connects Sanxia Avenue and Gangyao Road while adding new ramps to Juxiang Avenue, significantly alleviating congestion in the Zhongnan Road area.
Meanwhile, the main line of Huaxi Road, a two-way six-lane north-south artery, is taking shape. Nicknamed the "vertical arterial road to the river," the 19-kilometer expressway represents a total investment of 2.97 billion yuan (US$417 million). It serves as a key corridor for the city's northward expansion and provides direct access to Yichangbei Station. Once open, the commute from downtown to Yichangbei Station will be cut from about 40 minutes to just 15 minutes.
Construction on several other expressway projects is also accelerating, including the Yiling Yangtze River Bridge extension and the third phase of Xiazhou Avenue. In addition, the Dongfang Avenue extension project is set to start soon.
Yang Xue, Li Boyan, and Zhou Hanfei also contributed to this story.
