China's Ministry of Transport published a draft amendment to the Highway Law for public comment starting Sept 7. The draft notes the current law has been in force since Jan 1, 1998 and that toll-road policy helped break sole reliance on public finance and accelerated highway development, but some provisions no longer match current needs. It highlights there is no clear institutional arrangement for raising operation and maintenance funds after toll concessions expire and says early expirations o

China's Ministry of Transport published a draft amendment to the Highway Law for public comment starting Sept 7. The draft notes the current law has been in force since Jan 1, 1998 and that toll-road policy helped break sole reliance on public finance and accelerated highway development, but some provisions no longer match current needs. It highlights there is no clear institutional arrangement for raising operation and maintenance funds after toll concessions expire and says early expirations of tolls are approaching; the amendment aims to prevent a funding gap for post-concession management and maintenance.