Traffic flow improvement projects, known for their short implementation cycles and quick results, are often called “minor surgical procedures” in the transportation field. Thirty municipal-level traffic flow improvement projects are planned for completion in 2025, with 27 already finished to date. These include comprehensive congestion mitigation projects at the Dujiakan section of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway. Ongoing projects include the bottleneck section widening and renovation on Chongwenmen Inner Street (in front of Tongren Hospital) and traffic organization optimization on the south service road of Jianguo Road (from Guomao Bridge to Sihui Bridge), all scheduled for completion within the year.

Installing elevators at hospital-area pedestrian bridges in batches

As the year ends, 27 municipal-level traffic flow improvement projects have been completed, bringing gradual changes to renovated bridge areas, intersections, and pedestrian bridges.

On the north side of the west gate of the Cancer Hospital and the west side of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, direct elevators have been added while preserving existing stairways, making street crossing easier for patients with mobility challenges and elderly individuals.

“After the elevators began operation, during morning medical peak hours, the Cancer Hospital bridge elevator serves 486 people per hour, while the China-Japan Friendship Hospital bridge elevator serves 407 people per hour, showing high utilization rates.” Future plans include gradually installing elevators at pedestrian bridges near hospitals in batches each year to continuously improve barrier-free travel environments.

Enhancement of space under bridges has also been an important focus of this year’s traffic improvement projects. This year, dynamic traffic organization optimization has been completed for the spaces under five bridge areas including Lianxiang Bridge, Xiyuan North Bridge, and Wanfeng Bridge. At Xiyuan North Bridge, the space beneath the bridge was used to widen bicycle lanes and move the south entrance stop line “backward” to prevent queuing vehicles from affecting left-turning buses. At Lianxiang Bridge, left-turn and straight-through lanes were added beneath the bridge, increasing the number of lanes from three to five, while also adding a dedicated west-to-west U-turn lane, significantly improving overall intersection efficiency.

Adding entrance acceleration lanes at Wanquanhe Bridge

This year, special focus was placed on road entrances and exits with prominent traffic supply-demand conflicts. Projects implemented include road renovations around Pingfang Bridge on the East Fifth Ring Road, entrance and exit improvements at Deshengmen Bridge on the North Second Ring Road (outer ring), adding a main road exit on Chongwenmen East Street, and renovating the north exit at Wanquanhe Bridge.

At the Pingfang Bridge area on the East Fifth Ring Road, heavy traffic merging from Yaojiayuan Road (Airport Second Expressway) onto the inner ring ramp of the East Fifth Ring Road caused traffic “backflow” onto the main Yaojiayuan Road during peak hours, leading to severe congestion. During renovations, a new main road exit was created east of Pingfang Bridge, allowing vehicles going straight on Yaojiayuan Road through the bridge area to use this exit to access the service road, alleviating congestion at the main road node.

The Wanquanhe Bridge renovation project, located at the main road entrance north of Wanquanhe Bridge on the inbound Wanquanhe Road, involved compressing one service road vehicle lane and rebuilding a approximately 4-meter-high retaining wall to add an acceleration lane between the main road entrance and the exit ramp to the Fourth Ring Road on Wanquanhe Road. After completion, traffic congestion improved on the inbound main road of Wanquanhe.

“Minor surgery” reduces congestion at Yuquanying Bridge area

This year’s traffic improvement projects specifically targeted sections and intersections prone to congestion with “minor surgical procedures,” using methods like road widening and intersection channelization to eliminate bottlenecks and small congestion points.

For example, the Yuquanying Bridge area intersection renovation project converted the north entrance U-turn lane into a combined straight-through and U-turn lane, improving upstream road utilization efficiency. Meanwhile, using the

Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway

The Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway is a major north-south transportation artery in China, connecting the capital Beijing with the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. Its construction began in the late 1980s and was completed in stages, with the final section opening in the early 2000s. This expressway has played a vital role in facilitating economic integration and regional development across eastern China.

Chongwenmen Inner Street

Chongwenmen Inner Street is a historic commercial district located just inside the former Chongwenmen gate in Beijing’s Dongcheng District. Historically, it was a bustling area outside the imperial city walls, known for its markets and traditional *hutong* alleyways. Today, it has been redeveloped into a modern shopping and dining street while retaining elements of its historical significance.

Jianguo Road

Jianguo Road is a major east-west thoroughfare in Shanghai, originally developed during the early 20th century in the former French Concession. It is now notably home to the Jianguo Road Flea Market, a popular destination known for its antiques, vintage items, and local crafts, reflecting the city’s blend of historical and modern commercial culture.

Cancer Hospital

Cancer hospitals are specialized medical facilities dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and research of cancer. Their history is closely tied to the 20th-century advancements in oncology, including the development of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgical techniques. Today, they serve as comprehensive centers that integrate patient care with ongoing clinical trials to improve cancer outcomes.

China-Japan Friendship Hospital

The China-Japan Friendship Hospital is a major tertiary hospital in Beijing established in 1984 as a symbol of improved diplomatic relations between the two nations. It was built with significant support and cooperation from the Japanese government, which provided funding and technical assistance. Today, it serves as a leading medical institution in China, renowned for its patient care, research, and medical education.

Lianxiang Bridge

I am not familiar with a specific, historically significant site named “Lianxiang Bridge.” This is a common name for bridges in China, often translating to “Fragrant Lotus Bridge.” Typically, such a bridge would be a traditional-style pedestrian bridge, possibly located in a garden or park, and its history would be tied to the local area where it was built to provide a scenic crossing over a pond or stream.

Xiyuan North Bridge

I am unable to find specific historical or cultural information on a site named “Xiyuan North Bridge.” It is possible this is a local bridge name in a Chinese city, but without a specific location, detailed information is not available. You may need to consult local historical records or authorities for a more accurate summary.

Wanfeng Bridge

The Wanfeng Bridge is a historic covered bridge located in Taishun County, Zhejiang Province, China. Built during the Qing Dynasty, it is renowned for its traditional Chinese wooden arch structure and intricate craftsmanship. The bridge has long served as a vital crossing and a communal gathering place for the local people.