Helen Deng, Xu Juehui

A NEW flyover linking Yanpai and Shuiguan expressways opened Saturday, greatly easing traffic congestion in Shenzhen’s Longgang District.

The opening of Shuiguan Flyover means Yantian port in eastern Shenzhen and Shekou port in the city’s western part are linked by expressways, and container trucks no longer have to travel through downtown Longgang.

People driving to Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches in eastern Shenzhen will also benefit. The new flyover enables downtown cars to reach the beaches through expressways, but motorists have to pay to use them.

There was previously no link between Yanpai (Yantian-Paibang) and Shuiguan (Shuijing Village to Guanjingtou) expressways, with container trucks having to travel through National Highway 205 and Bulong Highway in Longgang before entering an expressway to western Shenzhen.

About 14,000 vehicles, including 6,000 trucks, used to travel on Longgang’s highways daily, leading to frequent traffic jams, according to local traffic authorities.

To encourage trucks to use the expressways, authorities yesterday cut the toll between Yantian Tollgate on Yanpai Expressway and Bulong Tollgate on Shuiguan Expressway for trucks over 15 tons by 25 yuan (US$3.2) to 40 yuan. The toll for trucks between 10 to 15 tons falls by 10 yuan to 40 yuan.

Shenzhen is building an expressway network that will eventually enable vehicles to enter an expressway within 10 minutes of departure from any point in the city, said Huang Min, vice director general of the municipal transport bureau.