Skip to main content

China moves on concrete highway plan

The authorities in China are now acting on plans announced last year to build a proportion of the country's new highway network from concrete. The new 84km highway connecting Xingtai in Hebei and Fenyang in Shanxi will be constructed with a concrete surface. The project is due for completion in mid 2013 and is expected to cost some US$1.37 billion to construct. This development is of note as the country has built most of its most recently constructed highways using asphalt technology.
March 6, 2012 Read time: 1 min
The authorities in China are now acting on plans announced last year to build a proportion of the country's new highway network from concrete. The new 84km highway connecting Xingtai in Hebei and Fenyang in Shanxi will be constructed with a concrete surface. The project is due for completion in mid 2013 and is expected to cost some US$1.37 billion to construct. This development is of note as the country has built most of its most recently constructed highways using asphalt technology. Concrete roads were built in China in the past but earlier generation technologies and construction methods were used and the roadway performance did not meet expectations. Only in the last few years have the Chinese authorities reconsidered the use of concrete road construction techniques, employing modern technology and setting targets to build a percentage of the new highway network from concrete.

Related Content

  • Developments in concrete road construction
    February 7, 2012
    Innovative developments are pushing forward concrete road construction techniques. The concrete road sector looks to benefit from some key innovations and developments now coming to market or being employed in different territories. Irregular weather and environmental conditions can alter the rate at which concrete cures, with a risk of plastic shrinkage cracks that can compromise the integrity of a pavement. Contractors cannot control the environmental conditions of a paving project and when weather patter
  • Chinese Government taking steps to reduce vehicle exhaust pollution
    November 15, 2013
    As a modern bustling megacity, Beijing is undergoing a fast growth rate and the country’s economic development has seen vehicle numbers increase rapidly, both in its capital and in other major cities. However, the recent pollution problems that hit several of China’s major cities, including capital Beijing, have underscored the need to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions in the country. The Chinese Government has recognised the need to address the problems of air pollution and congestion and Beijing in particu
  • The concrete option
    July 31, 2012
    Concrete highway construction techniques and technology continues to evolve. Mike Woof reports The recent increases in oil costs are having a knock-on effect for the road construction sector, as asphalt prices have increased noticeably and faster than those for concrete. This has spurred renewed discussion over which construction technique now offers the best long term solution for road building. The debate between those in favour of concrete and those preferring asphalt for highway construction has been on
  • East Africa’s dream of a ‘Silk Road’ in sight
    October 22, 2021
    East Africa’s dream of a ‘Silk Road’ route to boost trade and transport is now in sight