An important section of the Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway that will connect Yunfu and Zhanjiang is expected to be completed this year, according to an announcement at a conference on Guangdong province's expressways held in Guangzhou on Feb 14.

Construction on the Yunfu-Zhanjiang section of the Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway is expected to be completed this year. [Photo/zjhoto.yinsha.com]

The segment, on which work began in late 2014, is more than 315 kilometers long and required investment of over 33 billion yuan ($4.8 billion). The route is a key part of the Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway, which will be more than 860 kilometers long, and will play a key role in the establishment of a transport hub in western Guangdong.

The Shantou-Zhanjiang section will be one of seven key projects which are expected to be completed in this year's provincial expressway plan.

Construction on the expressway's branch in Wuchuan, Zhanjiang, will start at the end of October, according to officials.