The project to extend the Jinan-Tai'an section of the Beijing-Taipei Expressway started construction on April 6.

The project starts from the Yinjialin junction where the Beijing-Taipei Expressway and the Jinan-Guangzhou Expressway meet, and ends at the Taishan junction where the Beijing-Taipei Expressway and the Qingdao-Lanzhou Expressway intersect.

The section, which spans 53.26 kilometers, will be turned into a two-way, eight-lane road that passes through Shizhong and Changqing districts in Jinan and Daiyue district in Tai'an.

The project by Shandong Hi-Speed Group is expected to cost 6.57 billion yuan ($1.03 billion) and will help improve the expressway network of the Shandong provincial capital economic circle and promote regional development in both economy and society in Shandong province.

The Shandong provincial capital economic circle includes the provincial capital Jinan and six neighboring cities – Zibo, Tai'an, Liaocheng, Dezhou, Binzhou and Dongying.

The seven cities signed an agreement on Feb 6 to promote the coordinated transportation development of the Shandong provincial capital economic circle.

Nearly 60 transportation projects related to airports, high-speed railways, expressways, roads, inland water transportation and ports are under construction in the area.

The development of projects like the Shanghe General Airport and the Dongying Test Flight Base of COMAC will be further promoted. The second phase of the expansion project of the Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport will begin construction this year.

The construction for Xiaqing River restoration project, Jinan port, Daqing River water way, Tai'an port and Dongying port will be accelerated.

Four bridges across the Yellow River in Jinan will begin construction this year. After completion, the number of bridges across Yellow River among Shandong provincial capital economic circle is expected to reach 44, further strengthening the connection of cities along the Yellow River in Shandong.