The Ya ‘an-Luding section of Yakang Expressway, which is inaccessible to Tibetan areas in Sichuan, was put into trial operation on the 31st.

　　Cctv newsSichuan Ya ‘an-Kangding Expressway (Yakang Expressway) is a section of the national expressway network from Ya ‘an to Yecheng, Xinjiang (G4218). At 18: 00 on December 31st, Yaan Caoba-Luding section of Yakang Expressway will be merged into Sichuan expressway network for trial operation, ending the history of no expressway in Tibetan areas of Sichuan.

　　Yakang Expressway has a total length of 135 kilometers (including 89 kilometers in Ya ‘an section and 46 kilometers in Ganzi section). Because it is located in the Hengduan Mountains, which transits from the Sichuan Basin to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is a typical V-shaped deep canyon. The height difference between the mountains and valleys is generally 1000~2000 meters, even as high as 5000 meters, and it needs to cross many regional fault zones such as Longmenshan Fault and Anning River Fault. The bridge-tunnel ratio of the whole line is as high as 82%, which is one of the projects with the highest bridge-tunnel ratio and the most difficult construction in China.

　　The trial traffic section is from Caoba to Luding in Ya ‘an (95km), including 17 tunnels and 74 bridges, including 5 extra-large bridges. After the trial operation, it takes 2.5 hours from Chengdu to reach Luding County, Ganzi Prefecture, which is nearly half of the current time.

　　Relevant information on trial operation

　　(1) Opening hours

　　At 18:00 on December 31, 2017.

　　(2) Traffic sections

　　Yaan Caoba Hub is 95km from the interchange to Luding Interchange.

　　(three) the opening of toll stations and service areas

　　Four toll stations were opened, including Duogong, Tianquan, Xingou and Luding toll stations, and ETC was put into use simultaneously; Opening a service area, namely Tianquan service area, can meet the basic service needs such as toilet, temporary refueling and parking. Four toll stations and other service areas, including Daxing, Pingshi, Shiyang and Horn River, are accelerating the construction of follow-up projects.

　　(4) Interconnection with the road network

　　The project can be interconnected with Leya Expressway of G93 Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone via Caoba Hub, and with Chengya Section and Yaxi Section of G5 Jingkun Expressway via Rock Hub.

　　(5) Important tips

　　The geological and topographical conditions along the project are complex, the mountain is steep, the earthquake intensity is high, and the adverse geological development such as landslide, debris flow and collapse, etc., so it is necessary to further strengthen the monitoring of geological and ground disaster safety hazards during the operation process. Especially, at present, it is the season of freezing rain, snow and fog in winter. In order to ensure traffic safety, some sections will be controlled during the trial operation.

　　Regulatory information

　　The Sichuan Provincial Public Security Department and the Sichuan Provincial Department of Transportation issued a joint announcement to implement road traffic control for some vehicles during the trial operation.

　　First, traffic control time:From 18: 00 on December 31st, 2017 to 24: 00 on June 30th, 2018.

　　Second, the traffic control section:95 km from Yaan Caoba to Luding and all toll stations and interchanges along the line.

　　III. Contents of traffic control:

　　(a) in the traffic control section, except for the blue license plate and small new energy vehicles, motor vehicles are prohibited from passing; Vehicles transporting highly toxic and dangerous chemicals are prohibited from passing.

　　(2) Military and police vehicles performing emergency tasks, emergency rescue vehicles and highway maintenance vehicles are not subject to this restriction.

　　Fourth, drivers who pass Yakang Expressway should take the initiative to understand the common sense of safe driving on mountain expressways, strictly abide by traffic signals and safety tips, obey the command of the public security traffic management department and traffic law enforcement departments, and ensure traffic safety. Anyone who violates traffic control regulations will be dealt with according to the law.

　　(CCTV reporter Yang Ni Xinpeng)