Recently, the project to enhance lighting quality along the entire Jianghe Expressway in Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, officially passed its completion acceptance inspection. A warm ribbon of light, stretching approximately 18 kilometers, now unfurls along the Jianghe Expressway, illuminating and safeguarding the safe journey of every driver and passenger.
As a vital component of the national expressway network Shenzhen-Cenxi (G2518), the Jianghe Expressway begins at Longwan in the east, seamlessly connecting to the Zhongjiang Expressway, and extends west to Gonghe Town in Heshan City, where it links with the Foshan-Kaiping Expressway. Serving as a key transportation artery in the western Pearl River Delta, it plays a crucial role in the westward expansion of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Since its opening to traffic, with the continuous improvement of the regional road network and the expansion and upgrading of adjacent sections, traffic volume on the Jianghe Expressway has steadily increased, bringing growing pressure on the roadway. Coupled with Guangdong's hot and humid climate-frequent torrential rains in spring and summer and occasional rain and fog in autumn and winter-poor nighttime visibility on the expressway has posed significant safety risks. Implementing lighting quality improvements has become an urgent necessity to ensure the safety of travelers.
The Jiangmen Jianghe Company and the Jianghe Expressway Reconstruction and Expansion Project Management Office responded swiftly and planned scientifically, strictly adhering to standards and specifications when developing the construction plan and efficiently advancing the project. Initiated in May 2025, after 11 months of intensive construction, the project achieved full coverage of the 18-kilometer lighting system. A total of 1,351 streetlights were installed along the mainline sections, four high-mast lights were added at the Gonghe Interchange, and five box-type substations along with nine lighting distribution boxes were installed. Together, these form a comprehensive, reliable, and efficient intelligent lighting system, fundamentally resolving the problem of inadequate nighttime illumination.
The difficulty and technical demands of this upgrade far exceeded those of ordinary lighting projects. On one hand, the construction section operates under complex traffic conditions, requiring work to proceed while the road remained open to traffic. The reconstruction and expansion project management office, together with all participating contractors, planned meticulously and maintained close coordination with traffic authorities. By optimizing construction schedules and rationally dividing work zones, they ensured steady progress while prioritizing the safety of passing vehicles. On the other hand, as this project involved design changes, the selection of new foundation types and the associated construction processes were particularly complex and demanding. The project team maintained a high standard of precision and strict quality control throughout, ensuring that the quality of the work would stand the test of time and practical use.
While overcoming challenges, the project management office also adhered strictly to principles of civilized construction and ecological protection, deeply implementing the concept of green development. During construction, protective measures such as laying color-striped fabric were used to prevent asphalt pavement from being stained. Slopes disturbed by construction activities were promptly restored with green netting and grass seeding to minimize the impact on the surrounding ecological environment, achieving a win-win balance between construction and ecological protection.
Lighting reflects a commitment to service, and protection knows no bounds. In the future, the Jiangmen Jianghe Company and the reconstruction and expansion project management office will continue to prioritize the travel needs of the public, steadily improving supporting service facilities and enhancing safety capabilities. The warm orange lights, connected point by point along the route, will form a solid barrier for safety, turning this vital transportation link-connecting the Greater Bay Area and the hearts of the people-into a truly safe and heartwarming road.
