New sea route to shorten Guiyang-Guangxi travel time

The Lami River Bridge is under construction. [Photo/WeChat account of Guiyang Release]

On May 10, the steel tube arch ribs of the Lami River Bridge, located along the Guiyang-Pingtang (Guiping) Expressway and constructed by Guizhou Communications Construction Group, were successfully joined. This milestone signifies a significant phase completion in the construction of the bridge.

The Lami River Bridge, located in Pingtang county, spans the Hongshui River system of the Pearl River Basin. It is a key and challenging project along the Guiping Expressway. The bridge is set to be 206 meters long with a main span of 176 meters and a width of 40.8 meters, making it the widest asymmetrical steel tube arch bridge in China.

The Guiping Expressway project extends from Yangchang town in Guiyang city to the Yunyang Pass near the Guizhou-Guangxi border. It spans approximately 174 kilometers and will have a designed speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour.

This project is crucial for accelerating the construction of an urban economic circle centered around Guiyang and Gui'an, supported by a highway loop connecting multiple key cities. It also plays a significant role in advancing Guizhou's transportation infrastructure and enhancing the provincial highway network.

The complex geological conditions of the route, covering challenging terrains and environmentally sensitive areas, such as Pingtang Geological Park and several national wetland parks, pose significant construction challenges. The project includes new and expanded sections, with a 4-kilometer segment connecting to the Guiyang-Weng'an Expressway.

Once completed, the Guiping Expressway will reduce travel time from Guiyang to Guangxi from 3.5 hours to 2.5 hours, establishing a vital new sea route for Southwest China. This will significantly promote economic and social integration across Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangxi.