Lhasa Airport Expressway

Coordinates: 29°21′26″N 90°51′57″E / 29.357268°N 90.865725°E

S1 Lhasa Airport Expressway

Galashan Tunnel

Galashan Tunnel
Route information
Length: 37.8 km (23.5 mi)
Major junctions
South end: Lhasa Gonggar Airport
North end: Niu New Area, Liuwu Bridge
Location
Counties: Gonggar County, Qüxü County, Doilungdêqên County
Highway system

Lhasa Airport Expressway is an expressway that links Lhasa Gonggar Airport to the city of Lhasa, Tibet, China.

Construction

The expressway from Lhasa to Gongkar airport in Lhoka (Shannan) Prefecture is the first expressway in the Tibet Autonomous Region.[1] Construction began in April, 2009.[2] In May 2011 it was reported that construction of bridges and culverts was complete, and tunnel construction was almost finished. The road pavement was 66% done.[3] The expressway was completed eleven months ahead of schedule early in July 2011 at a cost of 1.59 billion yuan. The opening ceremony was held on 17 July 2011. Vice President Xi Jinping cut the ribbons.[2] Tibetan traditional dancers performed during the ceremony.[4]

Description

The expressway is 37.8 kilometres (23.5 mi) long and has four lanes. It provides a link from metropolitan Lhasa's downtown to Gonggar Airport. The speed limit is 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph). Roadside lighting is solar powered. Travel time should be 30 minutes, half the time with the previous route.[2] Formerly travelers from the airport used the congested China National Highway 318.[5]

References

    Sources