China Launches $11.4B Yangtze River Mega-Project at Three Gorges Dam

China has started building a major new waterway project at the Three Gorges Dam. Work began on Monday, marking the country’s first key national project under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30). The scheme will cost around 77.2 billion yuan (about $11.4 billion) and aims to boost shipping capacity on the Yangtze River.

The project includes two main parts: a new navigation passage at the Three Gorges Dam and an upgrade to the Gezhouba Dam’s shipping capacity. Once finished, the Three Gorges section will handle up to 336 million tons of cargo each year. The nearby Gezhouba Dam will see its annual throughput rise to 360 million tons.

The new waterway will allow ships of up to 10,000 tons to pass through. It will also feature the world’s largest inland ship lock. This expansion comes after cargo traffic through the Three Gorges area hit 173 million tons in 2025, surpassing its original design limits.

The project is set to strengthen the Yangtze River’s role as a vital transport route. By increasing capacity and efficiency, it will support the region’s long-term economic and logistics growth. Completion is expected within the next five years.