New Expressway Opens in Xinjiang, Closing Road Network Gap

A major new expressway has opened in Xinjiang, dramatically improving road connectivity in the southern part of the region. The G3036 Aksu to Aral Expressway (known locally as the “A-A” highway) officially opened to traffic on the morning of July 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the region’s infrastructure development, according to Xinhua News Agency.

A Critical Link for Southern Xinjiang

Stretching 129.8 kilometers, the two-way, four-lane expressway was built at a total investment of 56.65 billion yuan. Designed for speeds of up to 120 km/h, the highway reduces travel time between Aksu and Aral to approximately one hour — a journey that previously took considerably longer on inadequate roads.

The route begins at the Hongqipo Interchange in Aksu, passes through Wensu County and several towns administered by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), and ends at the intersection with National Highway G217 on the western side of Aral City. The expressway features five interchange bridges, one hub interchange, 21 separation bridges, one service area, two mainline toll stations, and four ramp toll stations.

A Historic First for the XPCC

The G3036 expressway holds particular significance as the first expressway constructed under the leadership of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. This marks a major step forward in the XPCC’s transportation infrastructure capabilities and reflects Beijing’s broader policy of integrating XPCC and local government development.

As Liu Jun, Deputy General Manager of Aral Northwest Xingye State-owned Capital Investment and Operation (Group) Co., Ltd., stated during the project’s early stages: “We will continue to advance all work on the ‘A-A’ expressway construction, striving for early commencement, early completion, and early opening, truly building this expressway into a model project for military-civilian integrated development.”

Economic and Strategic Implications

The expressway fills a critical gap in the southern Xinjiang road network, which has historically faced transportation challenges due to the vast Taklamakan Desert terrain. The Aksu region is a major agricultural hub known for cotton, apples, and walnuts, while Aral City serves as a key agricultural and industrial center.

Li Guodong, from the Liuyuan Town Village and Town Construction and Development Center, noted that “the opening of the expressway will reduce logistics costs, attract more enterprises to settle in, and bring new opportunities to industries such as tourism and services.”

The highway also connects two airports — Hongqipo Airport in Aksu and Tarim Airport in Aral — enhancing multimodal transportation capabilities. The route passes near Duolang Lake and other scenic areas, potentially boosting domestic tourism in southern Xinjiang.

Part of a Broader Infrastructure Push

This expressway is one component of a much larger infrastructure drive across Xinjiang. The same week, the Yining-Aksu Railway commenced full construction, a project that will eventually slash railway travel between northern and southern Xinjiang from 16 hours to about eight hours, as China Daily reported.

According to a March 2026 report by the South China Morning Post, China’s 15th Five-Year Plan includes completing two highways spanning all nine land-border provinces and upgrading three highways into Tibet, indicating a strategic focus on border region infrastructure.

Construction Journey and Opening

The project’s construction timeline spanned from its launch ceremony in October 2023 through to completion in mid-2026. By March 2025, roadbed construction was 67% complete and bridge construction 65% complete, as reported by CNR. The expressway underwent a trial operation during the May Day holiday in 2026 before its full opening.

To encourage usage and gather operational data, the highway is free for all vehicle types from July 1 through July 14, 2026, with normal toll collection resuming the following day.

What to Watch

As the first XPCC-led expressway, the G3036 sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects under Corps leadership. The highway’s impact on agricultural logistics, industrial development, and tourism in southern Xinjiang will be closely watched as a bellwether for the region’s economic integration and the effectiveness of the military-civilian development model.