the State Council recently signed a decree of the State Council to promulgate the Rural Highway Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations), which will come into effect on September 15, 2025.
The Regulations aim to promote the high-quality development of rural roads and meet the needs of promoting the overall revitalization of the countryside and accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. There are 28 articles in the Regulations, which mainly stipulate the following contents.
One is to clarify the development orientation. It stipulates that the development of rural highways should implement the Party's and the state's line, policy, decision-making and deployment, adapt to the relevant requirements of overall planning of new urbanization and overall rural revitalization, adhere to government-led, overall planning, adjust measures to local conditions, attach equal importance to construction, management, maintenance and operation, and promote the development of rural highways. We will gradually improve the rural transport infrastructure network with global coverage, inclusive sharing, safety, applicability, convenience and efficiency.
The second is to compact the main body of responsibility. It is clear that county-level governments bear the main responsibility for the development of rural roads within their respective administrative areas, and that relevant departments such as transportation under the State Council, local governments at or above the municipal level with districts and their relevant departments should strengthen guidance and supervision.
Third, improve the quality of road network. It is clarified that the construction of rural roads should focus on improving the quality of the road network, coordinate with the construction of national highways and provincial highways, and promote the integration of urban and rural transportation; new rural roads should meet the requirements of highway technical grade, and the existing roads that do not meet the requirements of the minimum technical grade should be upgraded and transformed.
Fourth, strengthen management and maintenance. Clarify the requirements for the delimitation and management of the construction control area of village roads, the management of over-limit transportation, the passage of heavy trucks, and the comprehensive improvement of the road environment; stipulate the establishment and improvement of the responsibility system for the management and maintenance of rural roads, clarify the main body of the organization and implementation of the maintenance of rural roads, and encourage and guide professional road maintenance units to participate in the maintenance of rural roads.
Fifth, strengthen security. It calls for routine inspection of rural roads and investigation and management of potential safety hazards, strengthening emergency support and disaster prevention and resistance capacity building of rural roads, and carrying out publicity and education on road traffic safety laws and regulations and road protection.
Sixth, promote integration and development. It stipulates that local governments at all levels should take measures to promote the integration of rural roads with supporting facilities, industrial parks and tourist attractions along the line, promote the integration of rural passenger transport, freight logistics and postal express delivery, and enhance the ability of rural roads to serve the smooth economic cycle of urban and rural areas.
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