China - Third Jiangxi Highway Project

Page 1 PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) APPRAISAL STAGE Report No.: AB2046 Project Name Third Jiangxi Highway Project Region EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC Sector Roads and highways (100%) Project ID P093906 Borrower(s) PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA Implementing Agency PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Jiangxi Provincial Communications Department Environment Category [X] A [ ] B [ ] C [ ] FI [ ] TBD (to be determined) Date PID Prepared December 12, 2005 Date of Appraisal Authorization January 3, 2006 Date of Board Approval June 22, 2006 1. Country and Sector Background The Government of China is committed to developing an efficient multi-modal transport system to enhance competitiveness and promote development. At the core of their program is the National Trunk Highway System (NTHS), comprised of 12 major expressway corridors (five vertical and seven horizontal) connecting all provincial capitals and main cities. The initial NTHS backbone has made great progress towards providing the core network connectivity. The development is now shifting towards linking poorer western regions with eastern China, the engine of China