Expressways of Beijing


was first linked to outside areas by the Jingshi Expressway in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now, nine expressways link Beijing, and future expressways are planned.

History

When the Airport Expressway and the Jingjintang Expressway opened, Beijing was already being gripped by "expressway fever". Out in the far eastern part of town lay an unpopular Jingha Expressway; only with the construction of the Jingtong Expressway in the mid-1990s did the Jingha Expressway get more recognition. It still is too far out of central Beijing to be recognised as an important express roadway.
By the People's Republic of China's 50th anniversary, however, more expressways were being built in Beijing. The Badaling Expressway, Jingshen Expressway and the Jingkai Expressway were built. Beijing now had eight expressways.
In 2001 the Jingcheng Expressway was built. The northeastern and southeastern parts are ready to accommodate two more expressways.

Development

In 2004, the municipal government made a plan public complete up to of expressways. By 2006, the 6th Ring Road would be completed. Also in that year, a major batch of expressways would be completed.
The expressways around Beijing total 15. Of these, 11 would radiate from central Beijing.

Future plans

In early January 2005, mainland authorities revealed a plan for seven national expressways originating from Beijing. Amongst those included an expressway bound straight for Taiwan.
The expressways include:
After the "Three Links" come into effect, the projected of mainland expressways will have a link, possibly by tunnel, to Taiwan and all expressways on the island.

Expressways

Nine toll expressways link Beijing to its suburbs, outlying regions, and other cities.

Badaling Expressway

The Badaling Expressway connects Beijing to the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China. It runs from Madian to Badaling and Yanqing for a total of nearly 70 kilometres. Parts of the expressway run through hilly terrain.
Route: Madian - Jianxiang - Shangqing - Huilongguan - Bei'anhe - Shahe - Baige - Changping District - Nankou - Badaling - Yanqing - Jingzhang Expressway

Speed Limit:, hilly portion

Tolls: As of 5th Ring Road, heading northwest

Jingcheng Expressway

Current Status: Completed
The S11 Jingcheng Expressway starts at Taiyanggong Bridge on the 3rd Ring Road.
The entire expressway opened late 2009/early 2010, with a total length of about.
This expressway is part of the larger Daguang Expressway.

Airport Expressway

The Airport Expressway to Beijing Capital International Airport runs for under 20 kilometres and is one of the most used expressways in Beijing. Beijing authorities are planning two more expressways to link to the airport.
Route: Sanyuanqiao - Siyuan Bridge - Dashanzi - N. 5th Ring Road - Beigao - Yanglin Road - Xiaotianzu Road - Beijing Capital International Airport

Speed Limit: Maximum throughout

Tolls: As of Beigao, heading northeast

Jingtong Expressway

The Jingtong Expressway runs through to Tongzhou District for approximately 15 kilometres. It has no numbered expressway exits and functions mainly as a city express route.
Route: Dawang Bridge - E. 4th Ring Road - Gaobeidian - E. 5th Ring Road - Shuangqiao - Huicun - Tongzhou or Ximazhuang and Jingha Expressway

Speed Limit: throughout as of Gaobeidian until Huicun, otherwise

Tolls: As of Shuangqiao, heading east

Jingha Expressway

The Jingha Expressway was planned to run to Harbin, but has apparently been abandoned as of Yanjiao, Hebei. It is a short and rather old expressway.
Route: Beiguan Roundabout - E. 6th Ring Road - Baimiao - Yanjiao - China National Highway 102

Speed Limit: throughout

Tolls: As of E. 6th Ring Road, heading east

Jingshen Expressway

The Jingshen Expressway to Shenyang runs for 658 kilometres and is one of the longest expressways to leave Beijing.
Route: Sifang Bridge - Wufang Bridge - Bailu Toll Gate - E. 6th Ring Road - Xianghe - Baodi - Yutian - Lulong - Beidaihe Area - Shanhaiguan - Shenyang

Speed Limit: throughout

Tolls: As of Bailu Toll Gate, heading east

Jingjintang Expressway

The Jingjintang Expressway heads for Tianjin and Tanggu. Due to heavy lorry traffic, it can be congested at times.
Route: Fenzhongsi - Shibalidian - Dayangfang - Toll Gate - Majuqiao - Caiyu - Langfang - Yangcun - Yixingbu - Central Tianjin - Tianjin Airport - Tanggu

Speed Limit: throughout

Tolls: As of Dayangfang Toll Gate, heading south-east

Jingkai Expressway

The Jingkai Expressway heads for Kaifeng, but is interrupted as of Yufa, Beijing, where the Beijing section ends. It continues as China National Highway 106.
Route : Yuquanying - Xinfadi - Majialou - Toll Gate - 5th Ring Road - Daxing - Huangcun - Panggezhuang - Yufa - China National Highway 106

Speed Limit: before the toll gate at Xihongmen, afterwards

Tolls: As of Xihongmen Toll Gate, heading south

Jingshi Expressway

The Jingshi Expressway to Shijiazhuang is one of the oldest expressways in Beijing and was China's first completed expressway.
Route: Liuliqiao - Yuegezhuang - Xidaokou - W. 5th Ring Road - Dujiakan Toll Gate - Zhaoxindian - Daxing - Liangxing - 6th Ring Road - Doudian - Liulihe - Hebei Toll Gate - Zhuozhou - Dingxing - Baojin Expressway - Baoding - Shijiazhuang

Speed Limit: throughout Beijing section, thereafter

Tolls: As of Dujiakan Toll Gate, heading southwest

Note: Tolls are not networked, and you need to pay again at the toll gate in South Beijing. However, tolls are networked with the 6th Ring Road.

Extended expressways

The nine expressways also indirectly become portions of other expressways.
The Badaling Expressway connects after Yanqing to Zhangjiakou as the Jingzhang Expressway. Already as of Madian, it forms part of the Jingda Expressway.
The Jinghu Expressway becomes an independent expressway after Tianjin.
The Jingshi Expressway forms part of the Jingzhu Expressway.

Alternate names

The Badaling Expressway is sometimes referred to as the Jingchang Expressway, as the first stage of the expressway runs through Changping District.

Projected expressways

Jingping Expressway

Current Status: Not yet constructed; in planning
Beijing's Pinggu District so far is the only district without an expressway link. However, Beijing will soon build the Jingping Expressway to link to Pinggu.
This expressway will also link to Ji County in Tianjin, which would also link to the Jinji Expressway, ultimately connecting Tianjin City. Thus, this road is also known as the projected Jingji Expressway.
The expressway would start at Yaojiayuan Bridge on Beijing's 5th Ring Road and stretch for 69 kilometres. It would ultimately be connected to the eastern .
A tunnel is planned. The expressway would presumably be constructed in 2005, with a section opening in early 2006, and completion scheduled by early 2007.

Jingkai Expressway

Current Status: Jingkai Expressway from Yuquanying to Yufa open to traffic
In 2004, an additional 7 kilometres of the Jingkai Expressway was announced. Although specific details are not currently clear, it may be the extension from Yufa into Gu'an in Hebei province, which currently is part of China National Highway 106, but which many maps claim now to be already expressway.

Airport Expressway

Current Status: Airport Expressway open to traffic
Two further routes, both of them being expressways, will link Beijing Capital International Airport.
The Airport Northern Route from the Jingcheng Expressway will stretch to the airport.
A second airport expressway will stretch. This second airport expressway would run between the eastern 5th Ring Road and the eastern 6th Ring Road, starting up north from the airport and leading through to the second Jingjin Expressway.

Jingjintang Expressway

Current Status: Jingjintang Expressway open to traffic
The current Jingjintang Expressway is open to traffic but congested. This means that when traffic accidents occur, rescue efforts can be delayed.
Thus, both Beijing and Tianjin have approved the construction of two more expressways to Tianjin to ease congestion.
The northern route shall leave Beijing at Tongzhou District and pass through Yangcun in Tianjin. A southern route shall also exist.
Both routes will stretch 35 kilometres each.

Jingbao Expressway

Announced only in 2004, the Jingbao Expressway go for 25.9 kilometres in length in the Beijing area, reducing traffic load on the Badaling Expressway. The project's route must avoid disturbing the Ming Tombs.