Dongfeng Expressway in Taizhou fully opens to traffic

The Dongfeng Expressway in Taizhou, Jiangsu, fully opens to traffic. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

The final phase of Taizhou's Dongfeng Road North Section Expressway Transformation Project opened to traffic on June 28, with the inauguration of the Yingchun Road and Jichuan Road tunnels.

The new tunnels significantly enhance connectivity within the city. With their opening, travel time from downtown Taizhou to both the existing railway station and the under-construction Taizhou South High-Speed Railway Station has been cut to around 15 minutes.

"The full opening of the Dongfeng Expressway marks a milestone in Taizhou's urban development," said Zhu Juping, director of the Economic Research Office at the Taizhou branch of the Jiangsu Academy of Social Sciences. "It strengthens the city's transportation network, shortens travel time between Hailing, Gaogang, and Jiangyan districts, and fosters integrated urban development. This will help optimize resource allocation and promote regional economic coordination."

A key component of the city's four vertical and four horizontal expressway grid, Dongfeng Road serves as a major north-south artery. The project features a separated main-auxiliary road design, with a four-lane main road (designed for 60 km/h) and a six-lane auxiliary road (designed for 40 km/h). Construction began in July 2021 and was carried out in two phases. Phase I (3.7 km) opened in January 2024, while Phase II (4.34 km) includes 2.8 km of tunnels, two pedestrian overpasses, and two underground passages.