Tianfu Avenue, spanning 150 kilometers across three Sichuan province cities — Chengdu, Deyang and Meishan — became even longer after an extension on the north end was recently completed.

"Our project progressed way faster since the beginning of the year, and we managed to complete the extension project on schedule," said Yi Chunhong, a project manager with China Railway 24th Bureau Group Corp Ltd, adding that with the optimization of COVID-19 control measures and timely and effective government support, the project team now has more construction workers and technicians on site.

Yi's team worked on the extension project, which spans 6,060 meters between Changjiang Road and the intersection with the Baocheng railway line. On Monday, the new section opened to the public.

"There are many locals like me 'onboard', and we know the history of this avenue. And for those who don't know, a simple way to learn is to check how Chengdu has grown into such a metropolis," Yi said.

Originally named Renmin Road that began at Tianfu Square in the provincial capital Chengdu, Tianfu Ave is now able to facilitate intercity road trips for citizens from three cities, bringing opportunities for integrated development of the urban cluster.

According to a report by thepaper.cn, there are more than 300 Fortune 500 enterprises with branches in Chengdu, among which 70 percent are located along Tianfu Ave.

Speaking of future development opportunities brought by the extension project, Yi said, "Now with the avenue reaching here, we do hope the new section brings the same prosperous future to Deyang as it did to Chengdu."

CR24, a unit of China Railway Construction Corp, said the project was managed with priority given to safety, with various measures in place to avoid accidents and disruptions to nearby normal traffic operations.

With new workers continuously recruited to the team, the project manager said they routinely held safety and technical training for on-site construction personnel and construction team leaders — for both existing workers and new arrivals — to ensure that on-site construction quality and safety met established standards.

Construction work on the road extension not only involved the main thoroughfare itself, but workers also needed to undertake preparatory work for many follow-up construction projects down the road, such as those for illumination and rainwater drainage systems.

"When it comes to urban road projects, what most teams deem as most troublesome are the challenges brought by existing road networks. Relocating poles and pipelines in difficult areas along the project route took tremendous effort," Yi said.

The team jointly developed a scientific plan of action involving multiple government units and adopted a semi-closed road construction status to minimize disruptions to local commercial activity and public transportation while maintaining progress.

"In the future, along this new road section of 6.06 km, new parks, business districts, shopping areas and communities will also arise, which will be quite an inspiring view to see actually," Yi said, adding that the development plan for the area along the section has been in the pipeline for some time.

As a significant pillar stabilizing the nation's socioeconomic development, especially amid the headwinds over the past few years ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure is still highlighted by many key meetings as a pivotal driver in supporting economic growth this year, considering its role in improving livelihoods, stimulating domestic demand and boosting consumption.

This year, the infrastructure sector is expected to continue to be a major driving force. The sector is expected to support the nation's high-quality development strategies over the long term, and boost domestic demand and employment in the near term, said Chi Guangsheng, an analyst with Shenzhen, Guangdong province-based Essence Securities Co Ltd.

"The sector will still be given priority, especially by local governments nationwide, this year despite a relatively high base last year, and also given strong investment support from various financial tools," Chi said.