National road network to cover Chinese cities, counties with populations over 100,000

Photo shows the construction site of the Asia's largest maritime expressway interchange hub in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 17, 2022. (Photo provided to China News Service)

(ECNS) -- China has unveiled a new national road network plan that targets the goal of cities and counties with populations of over 100,000 to have quick access to expressways.

All cities that meet the criteria will be connected to national highways in 30 minutes, and all counties in 15 minutes, according to the new plan, which outlines major targets for a national road network by 2035.

The plan involves national roads with a total length of about 461,000 km, consisting of 162,000-km national expressways and 299,000-km highways.

According to the plan, by 2035 China intends to build a modern national road network that is extensive, fully functional, efficient, green, intelligent, and safe.

Compared with the 2013 edition of the road network plan, the new one adds 60,000 kilometers of road.

By the end of 2021, China had built 124,000 kilometers of national expressway, which covers most prefecture-level cities. The mileage of national highway has reached 258,000 kilometers, connecting administrative areas at or above the county level and border ports that are open all year round.