打破天山地理阻隔 乌鲁木齐至尉犁高速公路通车

Core Viewpoint - The G0711 Urumqi to Yili Expressway (referred to as "U-Y Expressway") has officially opened, significantly reducing travel time between Urumqi and Korla from 7 hours to 3.5 hours, thus eliminating the geographical barrier between northern and southern Xinjiang and creating a one-day living circle across the Tianshan Mountains [1][4]. Group 1: Project Overview - The U-Y Expressway will begin trial operations on January 1, 2026, with a public experience event scheduled from December 26, 2025, to December 31, 2025 [3]. - The expressway is a key component of the national expressway network, stretching 324.7 kilometers from the Urumqi city ring road to Yili County in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, and took 5 years and 8 months to complete since construction began in April 2020 [3]. - The project features the Tianshan Victory Tunnel, which is 22.13 kilometers long, setting two world records for the longest expressway tunnel and the deepest vertical shaft in an expressway tunnel [3]. Group 2: Economic and Social Impact - The U-Y Expressway facilitates easier movement of talent, culture, and resources between northern and southern Xinjiang, significantly lowering circulation costs and accelerating industrial collaboration, logistics, and cultural tourism integration [4]. - The expressway connects the Urumqi metropolitan area, northern Xinjiang urban belt, and southern Xinjiang urban clusters, promoting rapid connectivity between the Junggar Basin and the Tarim Basin [4]. - It is expected to play a vital role in establishing a new development pattern for Xinjiang, enhancing internal connectivity and external access [4].