The Municipal Transportation Bureau in Zhejiang province of China has launched the first phase of Liuheng Highway Bridge project at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port.

The project involves the development of a total 30.2 km long highway route with a sea-section length of some 16 kilometers. It starts at Zhoushan Liuheng Ganyan Interchange, followed by Sungan Highway, passes Liuheng Nanao, Fodu Island, Beilun Meishan Island, Chunxiao, and ends in Beilun Chai Bridge, connecting Chuanshan Shugang Expressway and planned Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway Double Line. The scope of works also includes the construction of six 8300 meter bridges, two 910 meters long tunnels, and three interchanges across the line.

The highway will be constructed according to the standard of expressway with a design speed of 100 km/h.

The total investment for the whole project is CNY 17.65 billion (US$ 2.47 billion). The construction works will be implemented in stages.

The first stage of the project will be the section from Meishan Interchange to Chaiqiao Junction. It will be 10.8 km long two-way six-lane. This phase will be implemented on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The construction of this phase is planned to take 4 years and the estimated investment for the phase is approximately CNY 4.39 billion (US$ 615 million).

The project is important in improving the sea-land transport network of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and strengthening the connection between the islands in the south of Zhoushan Archipelago New Area and land.