CCTV9英语新闻：建设项目的目标是改善川藏公路的道路安全

The Sichuan-Tibet Highway is known as a road full of stunning 1 vistas 2, winding 3 through 21 mountains and crossing14 major rivers. But these same natural wonders can make it a risky 4 journey for travelers.

CCTV News is going to introduce the highway for three days starting Monday. As our reporter Shi Wenjing tells us, several construction projects are now underway to ensure the route is both scenic 5 and safe.

The Sichuan-Tibet Highway has become famous for amazing views like this. But twists and sharp turns like this are just as common. And travelers should always be prepared for...

"You can tell just from the camera how bad the road condition is. It will take us two and half hours to climb up this mountain. But the road condition will become better once the tunnel is completed," said Shi Wenjing.

The planned tunnel is one of the many projects underway aimed at providing a smoother and safer trip along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Once it opens, travelers will be able to avoid dangerous turns and their travel times through this mountain pass will be cut to just one hour.

But that’s only IF it opens. With an elevation 6 of over 4-thousand meters and temperatures that reach as low as minus-22 degrees Celsius 7, this mountain is no easy construction site.

"We started four years ago. During that period, more than 35-hundred workers quit due to bad weather conditions. The rocks in this mountain also make it difficult for construction because they easily turn to rock powder. So the project has progressed very slow, only 50 centimeters at a time," said Man Yuxian, project manager of Gaoersi tunnel construction.

Its special geological 8 features have also demanded other additional measures....

“We used a radar 9 system to detect the vibrations 10 in the rock layers, so that we can know in advance which parts may go wrong and make plans accordingly," said Deng Jiawei, chief engineer of Gaoersi tunnel construction.

The tunnel, scheduled to open in April, is not the only project along the highway designed to improve or completely replace the previous path.

This bridge, for example, is located at the most dangerous section of road. Only one vehicle is allowed to cross at a time. Its maximum weight is 20 tons. If anything falls off the side, it would be quickly swallowed up by the river below.

A new bridge will be tested next February. It’s expected to have a maximum weight of 400 tons, twenty times higher than its predecessor 11.

These projects, if successful, will ensure travelers enjoy the ride without any risks.

 

点击收听单词发音  






1
stunning

  
 


adj.极好的；使人晕倒的


参考例句：





His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。












2
vistas

  
 


长条形景色( vista的名词复数 )； 回顾； 展望； （未来可能发生的）一系列情景


参考例句：





This new job could open up whole new vistas for her. 这项新工作可能给她开辟全新的前景。
The picture is small but It'shows broad vistas. 画幅虽然不大，所表现的天地却十分广阔。












3
winding

  
 


n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈


参考例句：





A winding lane led down towards the river.一条弯弯曲曲的小路通向河边。
The winding trail caused us to lose our orientation.迂回曲折的小道使我们迷失了方向。












4
risky

  
 


adj.有风险的，冒险的


参考例句：





It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。












5
scenic

  
 


adj.自然景色的，景色优美的


参考例句：





The scenic beauty of the place entranced the visitors.这里的美丽风光把游客们迷住了。
The scenic spot is on northwestern outskirts of Beijing.这个风景区位于北京的西北远郊。












6
elevation

  
 


n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高


参考例句：





The house is at an elevation of 2,000 metres.那幢房子位于海拔两千米的高处。
His elevation to the position of General Manager was announced yesterday.昨天宣布他晋升总经理职位。












7
Celsius

  
 


adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的


参考例句：





The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。












8
geological

  
 


adj.地质（学）的


参考例句：





aeons of geological history 数以亿万年计的地质史
The workers skirted the edge of the cliff on a geological survey. 工人们沿着崖壁作了一次地质勘察。 来自《简明英汉词典》












9
radar

  
 


n.雷达，无线电探测器


参考例句：





They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。












10
vibrations

  
 


n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动


参考例句：





We could feel the vibrations from the trucks passing outside. 我们可以感到外面卡车经过时的颤动。
I am drawn to that girl; I get good vibrations from her. 我被那女孩吸引住了，她使我产生良好的感觉。 来自《简明英汉词典》












11
predecessor

  
 


n.前辈，前任


参考例句：





It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。