According to news on June 4, 2024, the Anhui Provincial Development and Reform Commission announced the government and social capital cooperation promotion of major infrastructure projects in the province, revealing Anhui Province's ambition to expand the construction of the expressway network. It is particularly worth mentioning that the Tiantangzhai branch project of the S94 Hexian to Xiangyang Expressway is expected to start construction at the end of 2024. This new trend further demonstrates Anhui Province's determination to continue to increase investment in the field of transportation infrastructure and promote regional transportation interconnection.

The total engineering investment budget of the project reached 7.038 billion yuan. According to the plan, the Tiantangzhai branch project of the S94 Hexian to Xiangyang Expressway is expected to be officially launched at the end of 2024, and the overall construction period is expected to be 3 years. The Tiantangzhai branch project of the S94 Hexian to Xiangyang Expressway will be constructed in Jinzhai County and Huoshan County of Lu'an City. The starting point of the project is located on the southwest side of Qingshan Town, Jinzhai County, and connects with the Hexiang Expressway under construction. It will extend southward, passing through Yanzihe Town and Changling Township in Jinzhai County, and Manshuihe Town and Shangtu Town in Huoshan County, and finally reach Dongjieling Village in Taipingfan Township, which is the junction of Anhui and Hubei provinces, and will be seamlessly connected with the Yingshan-Huangmei Expressway planned by Hubei Province. The entire project line is about 45.7 kilometers long and will be built according to the standards of a two-way four-lane expressway with a design speed of 100 kilometers per hour. Three interchanges and one service area will be set up along the line to meet traffic needs and provide convenient services.

Huoshan and Jinzhai areas have rich tourism resources, such as the natural scenery and historical and cultural heritage of the Dabie Mountain area. The construction of the expressway will further improve the tourism transportation network, enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of the tourism industry, and promote the rapid development of the local tourism industry. The project not only connects Huoshan and Jinzhai, but also connects to the Yingshan-Huangmei Expressway planned by Hubei Province, strengthening the interconnection between Anhui and Hubei provinces, which will help promote economic cooperation and common development between regions.Editor/Zhang Liyuan