The fourth branch of the Rongshui-Hechi Expressway is completed on July 17. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

As construction on the Tianhe No 3 Bridge was completed on July 17, the fourth branch of the Rongshui-Hechi Expressway has been successfully connected, becoming the first complete benchmark project in the five branches of the Rongshui-Hechi Expressway.

The 20.3-kilometer main line of the fourth branch of the Rongshui-Hechi Expressway has a total of 12 bridges. Among them, Tianhe No 3 Bridge, which has a length of 630 meters, is the longest span bridge and the most difficult bridge for box girder erection.

To date, the Rongshui-Hechi Expressway has completed a total investment of 2.15 billion yuan ($308.51 million), accounting for 56.1 percent of the annual investment target. About 91.7 percent of pavement engineering cushions, 98.9 percent of bridge engineering, 91.2 percent of prefabricated girder construction, and 73.8 percent of bridge deck paving has been completed. A total of 74.3 km of greening has been completed, while 10 housing construction projects along the whole line have entered the decoration stage.

At present, Rongshui-Hechi Expressway is sprinting towards the goal of opening to traffic at the end of the year.