Construction of Peru's Andes National Highway, undertaken by a Chinese firm, has surpassed the 100-kilometer mark of asphalt paving, halfway through the country's largest mountainous infrastructure project, which is set to open next year.
Stretching 236.6 kilometers, the highway traverses the high-altitude Andes Mountains, with 90 percent of its route being at least 3,000 meters above the sea level, posing significant safety challenges due to steep cliffs.
"The construction team has extensively utilized China's most advanced concrete mixing equipment and automated asphalt production machines, ensuring both the progress and quality of the project," said Zhang Baolin, project manager with China Railway 20th Bureau.
The highway runs through Huánuco province, where the local economy relies heavily on agriculture. The new highway is expected to significantly improve transportation for local products like potatoes and corn. Before the vision becomes a reality, the construction of the project has already created over 2,000 jobs for families along the route.
"The Andes Mountains are one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. During our three years of construction, we have cultivated and planted over 40,000 saplings and restored 18 hectares of vegetation, integrating our green construction philosophy into the project," said Dai Ruibin, engineering director of the project.
Upon completion, the Andes National Highway will connect the mountainous regions to the Pan-American Highway, reducing travel time between Huánuco and Yarowilca from over 10 hours to under three hours, benefiting roughly 270,000 residents in over 240 towns along the route.
Construction advances on Peru's Andes highway
The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) officially launched China's first self-developed advanced civil turboshaft engine AES100 during the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai on Wednesday.
The AES100 engine is mainly employed in civil helicopters and has gained its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
The take-off power of the turboshaft engine AES100 turboshaft engine is no less than 1,000kW, and it can be equipped with a 5-6 tonne twin-engine helicopter or a 3-tonne single-engine helicopter, according to its developer AECC.
The AECC said the engine has the advantages of high efficiency, low fuel consumption, long lifespan, high reliability, and meets the needs of a wide range of fields.
Featuring advanced design, technologies, and a management system, the AES100 engine can operate safely and steadily under complex conditions including freezing weather, heavy rain, and a strong electromagnetic environment. Helicopters powered by this engine can perform a variety of tasks, including patrol, rescue, sightseeing, as the engine is highly adaptable and can be used in diverse scenarios, said Li Gaiqi, chief designer of AES100.
Moreover, the ASE100 engine can be upgraded into turboprop engine, turbofan engine, and ground-based lightweight gas turbine to power small and medium-sized turboprop aircraft, jet business aircraft, and ground-based mobile power stations.
In addition to AES100, a total of 10 general aviation power products were also showcased by AECC at the launching event during the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.
The highly-anticipated biennial aerospace trade event, also known as Airshow China, will run through Sunday. It has attracted 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions to showcase their star aviation and aerospace products, including a record number of products being debuted to the public at the event.
China's first homegrown advanced civil aircraft engine unveiled at Zhuhai Airshow
