Free ride as toll gates disappear

Motorists and haulage companies using more than 70,000 km of roads in 12 eastern and central provinces will find a wide-open highway ahead following the decommissioning of 1,300 toll gates.

The toll charge points - accounting for some 65 per cent of all toll points on second-grade highways - were cleared away in recent weeks and were gone by the end of April, said He Jianzhong, a spokesman with the Ministry of Transport.

The move will reduce transportation costs and boost economic activity, He said.