In 2024, Guangdong will invest more than 350 billion RMB in a network of roads, waterways and railways, according to a work conference held by the Department of Transport of Guangdong Province on February 26. 

With a total investment of more than 230 billion RMB, the province will step up the ongoing expansion of 48 expressways, totalling approximately 1,927 kilometers.

It also aims to complete the construction of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link and speed up the expansion and reconstruction of congested roads, including the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, Guangzhou-Macao Expressway, and Guangzhou-Kunming Expressway.

To build the "GBA on Rail" at a higher level, Guangdong will invest 120 billion RMB in railways within the province. It will finish the construction of nine high-speed railways, such as the Meizhou-Longchuan High-speed Railway and Xintang-Baiyun-Guangzhou North Intercity Railway.

Furthermore, promoting the construction and upgrading of characteristic service areas will also be one of the work priorities in 2024. More than 20 service areas will be built or rebuilt, and a total of nine service areas will be put into operation, with comprehensive functions for tourism, entertainment, rural revitalization, and commercial trading.

Last year, Guangdong accelerated the construction of a comprehensive and fully integrated transportation network. The province invested 346.9 billion RMB in roads, waterways, and railways, a year-on-year increase of 10.2 percent.

The total mileage of expressways reached 11,481 kilometers, ranking first for 10 consecutive years in China. It also takes the lead in railway operation (2,764 kilometers) and urban rail transit (1,373 kilometers).

In addition, eastern Guangdong was further integrated into the "1-hour living circle" of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with the start of operations of the Guangzhou-Shanwei High-speed Railway. Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station was also put into use last December.

cnbayarea.org.cn & GDToday