Xinjiang begins construction on Duku Expressway to enable year-round travel and transform the original highway into a tourist route

Construction has begun on the new Duku Expressway in Xinjiang, aiming for year-round, all-weather passage and significantly reducing travel time between north and south Xinjiang. The 393.693-kilometer expressway, designed for speeds of 100-120 km/h, is expected to be completed by 2032. It will feature 36 tunnels and 147 bridges, with travel time cut to approximately 5 hours. The original Duku Highway, built between 1974 and 1983, will be transformed into a scenic route, complementing the new expressway's function for rapid transit.