Sichuan's Tibetan-inhabited areas to build 4 expressways

The Tibetan-inhabited areas in southwest China's Sichuan Province will build four expressways in 2010 and 2011, according to the Sichuan Expressway Construction and Development Corporation.

The expressways will have a total mileage of 723 km with a total investment of 97.2 billion yuan(14.24 billion U.S. dollars).

This roads will link Ya'an to Kangding, Wenchuan to Ma'erkang, Wenchuan to Jiuzhaigou via Chuanzhusi and Mianyang to Jiuzhaigou. Two roads will reach Wenchuan that was devastated by a massive quake in 2008 and the world-famous tourist site of Jiuzhaigou.

The Tibetan-inhabited areas in Sichuan are mainly plateau areas, such as Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, with extremely complicated geological conditions. Hence, it is very difficult to build the roads there so that local transportation services lag far behind inland areas.

Upon completion the four expressways are expected to greatly improve local transportation services and boost the local tourism industry as well, thus uplifting the living standards of the local residents.

The funds for road construction will come primarily from bank loans from three banks, namely, the Sichuan Branch of the China Development Bank, the Sichuan Branch of the Bank of China and the Sichuan Branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

The banks will provide 75 billion yuan for the road project, according to a agreement signed between the banks and the corporation.