The Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway is one of the most congested roads on Earth
The Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway ranks among the most congested roads on Earth. While the road is fully paved and boasts up to 50 lanes in some sections, post-holiday traffic is notoriously challenging.
How Long is the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway?
This road is a segment of the China National Highway 105, spanning 2,717 km (1,688 miles). It connects Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China and the world's third most populous city, to Zhuhai, situated on the southern coast of Guangdong province. A particular stretch running through northern Guangdong has earned the ominous nickname "Vehicle Killer" due to its frequent accidents, which can be attributed to overloaded trucks, the steep mountainous terrain, and harsh winter conditions.
Is the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway Always This Congested?
Initiated in 1986, the construction of this expressway was completed in 2004, making it the primary transport route between the northern and southern parts of China. However, the actual traffic volume has far surpassed its design capacity. Initially designed to accommodate 20,000 vehicles per day, by 2007, daily traffic had already surged to over 40,000 vehicles, making the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway overwhelmingly crowded. The road has gained notoriety for its colossal 50-lane traffic jams, particularly around the Chinese New Year. Aerial footage vividly captures these immense congestion episodes.
Pic: http://en.people.cn/n/2015/1006/c90000-8958449.html