[Photo via Xinhua News Agency]

On April 20, a renovated section of Beijing's East 6th Ring Road (from Beijing–Harbin Expressway to Luyuan North Street) began trial operation. This section is an important corridor connecting Shunyi District, Daxing District and the Beijing E-Town with the Beijing Capital International Airport and the Beijing Daxing International Airport.

The renovation project spans approximately 16.3 kilometers, with a design speed of 80 km/h. The previous four-lane (two in each direction) carriageway have been widened to six lanes. The project includes a 7.1-kilometer-long widened roadbed section and a 9.2-kilometer-long underground tunnel section. The renovation has significantly improved the traffic efficiency—driving through this long tunnel now takes about seven minutes.

Notice:
The Changtun and Xiaoshengmiao toll stations on the East 6th Ring Road were closed from 0:00 on April 20. Vehicles that previously entered the road via these two stations shall now enter it through the nearest Luyuan North Street toll station or Tuqiao toll station via Tonghuai Road, Tongyun Road, Luyuan North Street, and Luyi East Road, among others.

With the tunnel open to traffic, the temporary detour roads built during the renovation will be dismantled by the end of this May. Upon their removal, the construction of the planned ramp from south to east at Tuqiao Interchange will begin, which is expected to be completed by the end of this June.

(Source: Beijing Daily)