Core Viewpoint - The Jingyi Expressway, connecting Urumqi and the Ili River Valley, has successfully completed its final major construction phase, breaking the "snow closure curse" in Xinjiang by providing a reliable all-weather transportation route [1][3]. Group 1: Project Overview - The Jingyi Expressway (G577) spans 92.545 kilometers, featuring a significant bridge-tunnel ratio of 49.1%, indicating that nearly half of the route consists of bridges and tunnels [2]. - The project includes the construction of the North Tianshan Tunnel, which is 11.88 kilometers long, overcoming challenging geological conditions [2]. Group 2: Engineering Challenges and Innovations - The construction team employed innovative techniques such as short advance drilling, weak blasting, and strong support to ensure safety during the tunnel's construction, which took over four years to complete [2]. - The Bo'erbosong Grand Bridge, a key structure of the expressway, measures 938 meters in length and has a maximum pier height of 144 meters, setting a new height record for bridges in Xinjiang [4]. Group 3: Safety and Resilience Features - The expressway incorporates advanced disaster prevention designs, including a snow protection system at the tunnel entrance, enhancing its resilience against severe winter weather [2]. - The construction team utilized real-time dynamic measurement and total station re-measurement to maintain precision in the bridge's foundation, achieving a positional deviation of within ±2 centimeters [4][5]. Group 4: Strategic Importance - The completion of the Jingyi Expressway is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Urumqi and Ili by one hour, making it the most convenient interstate route in the region [1][3]. - The project aligns with national transportation strategies aimed at improving modern comprehensive transportation systems and enhancing connectivity in underdeveloped areas [5].

Core Points - The G0711 Urumqi to Weili Expressway (Uwei Expressway) has been completed and opened to traffic, significantly reducing the driving time from Urumqi to Korla from 7 hours to 3.5 hours [1][4]. Group 1: Infrastructure Development - The Uwei Expressway is a key component of the national expressway network, stretching 324.7 kilometers and featuring the Tian Shan Victory Tunnel, which is the world's longest expressway tunnel at 22.13 kilometers [2][4]. - The expressway connects various regions, enhancing the transportation network in Xinjiang and facilitating faster travel and logistics across the region [4][8]. Group 2: Economic Impact - The Uwei Expressway is expected to boost local economies by improving access for farmers and herders, allowing for quicker transportation of goods and services [5][7]. - The expressway is part of a broader strategy to enhance Xinjiang's role as a strategic hub in domestic and international trade, linking multiple economic corridors and reinforcing the region's connectivity [4][8]. Group 3: Future Developments - Additional expressways, such as the G577 Jinghe to Yining Expressway and the Duku Expressway, are under construction, which will further improve connectivity across the Tianshan Mountains and reduce travel times in the region [10].