Work starts on the Jinan-Qingdao Expressway in the Shandong province

In China, construction has started on the US$4.55 billion renovation and expansion of the Jinan-Qingdao Expressway in the coastal province of Shandong.

The 309km expressway will be expanded from four lanes to eight lanes and the speed limit increased from 80kph to 120kph. Work includes refurbishing two parking areas, six service areas and two bridges.

The Jinan-Qingdao Expressway traverses the Shandong Peninsula, joining Jinan, Zibo, Weifang and Qingdao and forms the central "T" of Shandong's highway network along with the Beijing-Shanghai highway.

Meanwhile, the National Development and Reform Commission – formerly the State Planning Commission - has approved a feasibility study for the $2.04 billion Baoji-Pingkan highway project. Work on the 80kph highway will be handled by Shanxi Provincial Communication Construction Group, a Chinese firm that mainly builds, operates and manages non-toll roads and highway projects.