停止收费，高速免费时代要来了？

Core Points - The first highway in Hunan Province, Changyong Expressway, will stop charging tolls starting from November 2, 2025, due to the expiration of its toll collection period [1] - The original toll collection period for this highway was 30 years, which was extended by nearly a year due to various reasons [4] - There is ongoing debate regarding whether highways should remain toll-free after the expiration of their toll periods, with concerns about potential congestion and maintenance funding [6][12] Group 1 - The Changyong Expressway was built in 1994, and its toll collection period was initially set to end in 2024 but was extended to 2025 [4] - The general toll collection period for highways in China is between 15 to 30 years, with a maximum limit of 30 years [4] - There have been instances where highways continued to charge tolls beyond their expiration dates, leading to public controversy [4][6] Group 2 - Other highways in China, such as the Shanghai-Jiaxing Expressway, ceased toll collection after their periods expired, indicating a trend towards free highways [6] - Concerns have been raised about the maintenance of highways if they become toll-free, with a reported annual funding gap of 300 billion yuan for ordinary roads [6] - The potential for extending toll collection periods through highway expansions has been noted, as seen with several highways that have undergone expansions and continued to charge tolls [7][9] Group 3 - The revision of the "Regulations on the Administration of Toll Roads" is expected to clarify the conditions under which tolls can be extended beyond 30 years [12] - The trend towards more free highways is seen as beneficial for reducing congestion and lowering logistics costs, similar to practices in other countries [12] - The increasing number of highways transitioning to free status after toll expiration is viewed as a significant trend in the industry [12]