Core Points - China's first batch of highways is entering a "free era," with significant milestones marked by the cessation of tolls on Chengmian Expressway and Chengdu North Exit Expressway in September 2025 [1][2] - The transition to free highways is a response to the expiration of the 30-year toll period as stipulated by the "Regulations on the Management of Toll Roads" [2][3] - The move towards free highways has sparked nationwide discussions about toll policies and represents a new historical phase in highway development in China [1][2] Group 1: Historical Context - The rapid development of China's highway infrastructure was largely facilitated by the "loan for road construction, toll for loan repayment" model, which addressed funding challenges during less prosperous times [3] - Many highways built in the early 1990s are now reaching their toll expiration, leading to a wave of free access [3] - Shenzhen's early adoption of a government buyout model to eliminate tolls highlights the diverse approaches to achieving free highway access, although this model has not been widely adopted due to financial pressures [3] Group 2: Current Challenges - Despite the progress towards free highways, achieving nationwide free access faces significant financial challenges, with total debt for toll roads exceeding 7 trillion yuan and a growing revenue shortfall [4][6] - The annual maintenance cost for highways is approximately 320 billion yuan, necessitating new sustainable funding sources if tolls are eliminated [6] - The rise of electric vehicles is complicating traditional funding models, as reduced fuel tax revenues challenge the financial viability of highway maintenance [6] Group 3: Economic Impact - Free highway access is expected to benefit the logistics industry significantly, with examples showing cost reductions of up to 12% for time-sensitive goods [8] - However, increased traffic congestion has been reported in regions where tolls have been removed, raising concerns about the potential for highways to become overcrowded [8] - The experience in Hainan Province, where free access led to longer travel times during peak hours, illustrates the challenges of managing increased traffic volumes [8] Group 4: Future Directions - The future of highway toll policies may evolve towards more diversified and refined models rather than a binary "free or charged" approach [10] - Innovative pricing strategies, such as dynamic pricing based on time of day and vehicle type, are being explored to manage congestion and operational costs [10] - The integration of technology for precise mileage-based tolling could lead to a more efficient and user-friendly tolling system, aligning with the projected growth of the national highway network [10]

成都的秋夜，渐有凉意。成绵高速上流光飞驰，车灯划破夜幕，如同一条奔涌的星河。自2025年9月4日 24时起，这段路不再收取分文通行费。 四川省交通运输厅发布公告，宣布成绵高速公路及成都城北出口高速公路分别于2025年9月4日和9月17 日收费到期后停止收费，对所有通行车辆免收通行费。此举使得四川成为中西部地区首个实现重要干线 高速公路免费通行的省份，引发了全国范围内的广泛关注和赞誉。 成绵高速免费通行的重大意义，首先体现在其"西部唯一"的特殊性上。特别是在当前全国高速公路普遍 收费的背景下，四川敢于打破常规，将一条重要交通干线转为免费，体现了地方政府以民为本的执政理 念。 更值得称道的是，此举是对早年"临时收费"承诺的兑现——当初建设时提出的"有偿建设、收费还款"政 策在完成历史使命后，政府恪守诺言，如期停止收费，这种"言必信、行必果"的政府诚信建设具有重要 意义。 更为魔幻的是，某些免费国道突然开始收费。比如甘肃、湖北，甚至江苏等地新设30多处收费站，有的 一收又是30年。这种已经免费的公路重新设卡收费的现象，让民众感到困惑、失望甚至愤怒。 四川成绵高速免费通行的案例，为全国高速公路收费管理提供了一个优秀榜 ...

从5月1日0时到5月5日24时，高速公路收费站免收7座以下（含7座）小型客车通行费。广州交警预计， 在此期间广州出城的部分高速公路及过境广州前往周边城市的车辆较多，部分高速预计出现车多缓慢的 情况。 城市道路方面，广州大道、广园快速路、黄埔大道西、东风西路、环市东路、天河路、新港东路、工业 大道北、花地大道北、金沙洲路、汉溪大道、番禺大道北、海鸥公路等路段车多繁忙。 具体易拥堵路段包括：由东莞前往中山、珠海、佛山途经广澳高速（虎门大桥至坦尾立交路段）车多缓 慢，可绕行深中通道、南沙大桥；由东莞前往粤西途经南二环高速（张松立交路段）车多缓慢，可绕行 广台高速；由广州东部前往佛山、湛江途经北环高速沙贝路段车多缓慢，可绕行广佛肇高速、北二环高 速；由广州中心城区前往粤北地区途经华南快速（春岗立交）车多缓慢，可绕行机场高速、乐广高速、 佛清从高速；由深圳、东莞前往粤北途经大广高速（黄猄岭隧道）车多缓慢，可绕行武深高速、京珠高 速；由中山、佛山前往粤北途经许广高速车多缓慢，可绕行广佛江珠高速、绕城高速、乐广高速、佛清 从高速。 2025年"五一"劳动节假期即将来临。4月29日，据广州市交警支队消息，广州市高速公路出城高 ...

Group 1 - The Ministry of Transport announced that during the 2025 "May Day" holiday, small passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer will continue to be exempt from toll fees on highways [1] - The free passage period will be from May 1st at 0:00 to May 5th at 24:00, totaling five days [1]