On April 24, it was learned from the Provincial Department of Transportation that in the first quarter, Hubei completed a total of 51.08 billion yuan in fixed asset investment in transportation, breaking the 50 billion yuan mark for the first time, a year-on-year increase of 2.8%, with total investment reaching a new record high.
Since the beginning of this year, the Provincial Department of Transportation has focused on accelerating the construction of projects such as expressway expansions to strengthen its role as a hub. Projects such as the expansion and renovation of the northern section of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway and the Shuangliu Yangtze River Bridge have been opened to traffic, with all 44 ongoing expressway construction projects fully resuming work. The main tower of the Jingzhou Libu Yangtze River Road-Rail Bridge was capped, and the steel truss girder welding of the Yanji Yangtze River Bridge main bridge was fully completed. Additionally, seven expressway projects, including the expansion and renovation of the Fuyin Expressway from Xiaogan to Suizhou, have started construction, with a total mileage of 665 kilometers and a total investment of 96.9 billion yuan. As of the end of March, expressway investment in the province reached 32.06 billion yuan, accounting for 26.7% of the annual target of 120 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%.
Waterway transportation construction projects have been upgraded and accelerated. Major projects such as the second-line ship lock of the Xinglong Hub are progressing in an orderly manner; the waterway regulation project for the disconnected section from Danjiangkou to Xiangyang is in its final stages, and thousand-ton vessels will soon be able to travel smoothly from Wuhan directly to Danjiangkou. The “three ship locks and one waterway” project on the Han River is being vigorously promoted. In the first quarter, three projects, including the Wuhan Port Chedu Bulk Cargo Terminal, started construction. Construction of 41 port continuation projects, such as the first phase of the Wuxue Port Makou Operation Area Rail-Water Intermodal Transport, is progressing smoothly, with a total investment of 3.04 billion yuan.
The Provincial Department of Transportation is closely monitoring the national ultra-long-term special government bond policy, rolling applications and making every effort to secure funding. As of the end of March, a total of 44 billion yuan in “dual heavy” funds for the transportation sector had been secured, including 1.45 billion yuan from the 2026 advance batch and first batch. Additionally, the Three Gorges New Waterway Project has received 3 billion yuan in bond funds. A total of 1.267 billion yuan in “dual new” funds has been secured, including 321 million yuan from the first batch of 2026. The allocation of these real funds has strongly supported the high-level operation of transportation investment in the province and ensured the smooth progress of project construction.
Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway
The Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway (G4) is a major highway in China that connects the capital, Beijing, to the southern regions of Hong Kong and Macao. Construction of the expressway began in the late 1990s, with various sections opening progressively, and it was largely completed by the early 2000s. This route plays a crucial role in facilitating economic and cultural exchange between northern and southern China, linking key industrial and commercial hubs.
Shuangliu Yangtze River Bridge
The Shuangliu Yangtze River Bridge is a major railway bridge located in Yichang, Hubei Province, China, spanning the Yangtze River. Completed in 2010, it serves as a key part of the Yichang-Wanzhou Railway, significantly improving transportation links in the mountainous region. The bridge’s construction involved advanced engineering techniques to withstand the area’s challenging geological conditions, reflecting China’s modern infrastructure development.
Jingzhou Libu Yangtze River Road
Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway
The Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway (G4) is a major north-south highway in China, stretching approximately 2,285 kilometers from Beijing to Macao via Hong Kong. Construction began in the 1990s, with sections opening incrementally, and it was largely completed by the 2010s, significantly improving transportation and economic connectivity between northern and southern China. This expressway plays a vital role in integrating the Greater Bay Area with the capital, facilitating trade and travel across the region.
Shuangliu Yangtze River Bridge
The Shuangliu Yangtze River Bridge is a significant transportation infrastructure located in Shuangliu District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Built to enhance regional connectivity, the bridge spans the Yangtze River, though it is more accurately associated with the Jin River or other local waterways near Shuangliu, as the Yangtze’s main stream is farther away. Its construction reflects the area’s rapid urbanization and economic development in the 21st century, improving travel and trade links in the Chengdu metropolitan region.
Jingzhou Libu Yangtze River Road-Rail Bridge
The Jingzhou Libu Yangtze River Road-Rail Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge crossing the Yangtze River in Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China. It was completed and opened to traffic in 2021, serving as a key component of the local transportation network and enhancing connectivity between the northern and southern banks of the river. The bridge represents modern Chinese engineering and infrastructure development, supporting both passenger and freight transport in the region.
Yanji Yangtze River Bridge
The Yanji Yangtze River Bridge, located in Yichang, Hubei Province, China, is a vital cable-stayed bridge that spans the Yangtze River. Completed in 2001, it was built to improve regional transportation and support economic development in the area, connecting the city’s urban districts with the southwestern regions. The bridge stands as a modern engineering achievement, facilitating the movement of people and goods across this major waterway.
Fuyin Expressway
The Fuyin Expressway (G25) is a major highway in China connecting Fuzhou, Fujian Province, to Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, spanning over 2,600 kilometers. Construction of the expressway began in the early 2000s as part of China’s national highway expansion, with sections opening gradually to improve transportation and economic integration between coastal and inland regions. Its route passes through diverse landscapes, including mountainous terrain and the Loess Plateau, reflecting the country’s efforts to link eastern and western areas.
Xinglong Hub
Xinglong Hub is a major cultural and commercial complex in Beijing, China, known for its integration of historical preservation with modern urban development. Originally part of the Xinglong Street area, which dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, the site was redeveloped in the 21st century to revitalize the local community while retaining traditional architectural elements. Today, it serves as a vibrant destination for shopping, dining, and cultural events, reflecting Beijing’s blend of ancient heritage and contemporary life.
Danjiangkou
Danjiangkou is a city in Hubei Province, China, best known as the site of the Danjiangkou Reservoir, the primary water source for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. This massive infrastructure project, initiated in the 1950s and expanded in the 2000s, involved relocating hundreds of thousands of residents and submerging ancient towns. The area also holds historical significance as a former hub of the Chu civilization and a strategic location during the Three Kingdoms period.
Three Gorges New Waterway Project
The Three Gorges New Waterway Project is a major engineering initiative in China designed to improve navigation capacity along the Yangtze River by constructing an alternative channel to bypass the original Three Gorges Dam locks. The project, which began construction in 2019 and opened for trial use in 2024, aims to alleviate congestion and accommodate larger vessels, thereby enhancing regional economic development. Its history is rooted in the need to address the growing shipping demands that emerged after the completion of the Three Gorges Dam in the early 2000s, which, while providing flood control and hydropower, created a bottleneck for river traffic.
