On March 20, 2020, the Altay-Urumqi Expressway Project of Xinjiang's first highway S21 was convened as the oath of master, as the main line of Xinjiang's first desert highway, the total length of the project is 342.5 kilometers. Will cross the Gurban Tungut Desert, Junggar Basin.

The Xinjiang Altay-Urumqi Expressway Construction Project (line A21 for short) is funded by Xinjiang Transportation Investment Co., Ltd. The Awu Expressway is constructed in two phases. The first phase of the project is from Huanghuagou to Urumqi, with a main line length of 229.188 kilometers; the second phase of the project from Fuhai to Huanghuagou, with a main line length of 113.350 kilometers and a connecting line length of 3.647 kilometers. The whole line is planned to be completed on August 30, 2022, and the same day round trip can be realized after opening to traffic.

The S21 Awu Expressway project has a total length of 342.538 kilometers and a design speed of 120 kilometers per hour. The construction of Huanghuagou to Urumqi started first, with a main line length of 229.188 kilometers and a length of 150.090 kilometers across desert and desert sections.

This section has 1 bridge, 2 middle bridges, 12 small bridges, 5 interchanges, 2 U-turns, 3 service areas (including gas stations and charging stations, etc.), 2 parking areas, 6 ETC mast system.

The implementation of this project can increase the connection between the central area of the capital of Xinjiang and the Altay region of the 10th Division of the Corps, shorten the distance between the areas, save 258 kilometers over the existing "G217 channel", and 193 kilometers less than the "G216 channel," along the road. Most of them are located in the Gurbantonggut Desert, one of the five most beautiful deserts in China. The natural conditions are unique, the terrain is wide, and there are few transportation nodes. The first "Desert Adventure Expressway" and "Science and Technology Innovation Demonstration Expressway" which are deeply integrated.

After the project is completed, the distance between Urumqi and the 10th Division of the Corps and Altay region will be shortened, and the relationship between them will be strengthened. The 150 kilometers of desert and desert roads that will be traversed will become the country's first deeply integrated desert adventure tourism highway, providing convenience for desert tourism adventure lovers. Promote the development of the Xinjiang desert adventure tourism pillar industry and drive Xinjiang's economic development. Editor / Huang Lijun