Chapter 2399 Making a Living from the Road

"Eat by the road?!"

Everyone was dumbfounded, confused.

Still eating by the road?

Once the expressway is completed, doesn't it still need maintenance every year, which costs money?

So, can we still make money from this road?

Liu Zhizhong continued: "Honestly, with the strength of my company, building an expressway is no problem at all. With my personal financial capability, it's also no problem."

"However, putting aside my position as Mayor, I am still a businessman, as everyone knows. So, in this world, we can treat everything as a business. If the price is right, a deal can be made; if not, it won't happen."

"Not to mention, let's talk about everyone present here. In your past struggles, were there any business transactions? Were there any transparent price quotes? It's self-evident, right?"

His words resonated deeply, striking a chord.

Indeed, Liu Zhizhong was right!

Those present, honestly speaking, although they no longer talk about the big political future, in their promotions and developments in the past, they inevitably engaged in business, with prices quoted, negotiated and deals reached or failed.

In general, as long as the price is right, business can be negotiated and a deal can be made.

Everyone resonated, fell silent, but listened to Liu Zhizhong's speech with more interest.

Liu Zhizhong said: "So, currently my plan is to invest privately in the construction and maintenance of this hundred-kilometer expressway. The governments of Linxi Town, Changlong, Wangjiang, and Zishui, just need to completely handle the land acquisition. District and city finances are not involved. Originally, for such a communal beneficial road, the local government is supposed to invest, but now, the investment isn't much, just some widening and reinforcement, raising the standard. During my inspection, I found that not many households need to be relocated!"

Everyone was intrigued, even Yang Ze Ping showed great interest and excitement and said: "Land acquisition, indeed each town can coordinate, but for relocation, you still need to pay, right?"

"Yes, I can pay, and it will all be included in the overall project budget."

"So, the government doesn't have any economic expense, just a matter of publicity, which is quite easy. Then, what next? Will your capital just be donated like that?"

Liu Zhizhong shook his head and said: "No! I won't just donate like that. Once the entire road is completed, it will be named the Changling Expressway, as it starts from Changle Town and ends in Linxi. By then, I will establish the Changling Expressway Management Company and begin a toll road model."

"This..."

Yang Ze Ping was stunned.

Everyone was stunned too.

But it must be said, this model is feasible.

Only with this model can the investment be recouped!

Deputy Mayor Luo Maosheng couldn't help but say: "Charging is not impossible! But the investment is so huge, how many years will it take to recover it? Also, haha..."

He smiled playfully, "On the expressway, will you charge the locals for motorcycles and farm vehicles? That will lead to complaints from the locals. Also, this expressway passes through four towns, using their land, will you not share a portion if you charge? Otherwise, it won't be a good project. Moreover, before road construction, if you don't get the right to charge upfront, there will be many troubles later, haha..."

Liu Zhizhong gave a thumbs-up to Luo Maosheng, complimenting him, "Mayor Luo, I have considered all these. First, the charging model for local people's electric vehicles, petrol motorcycles, and farm tricycles along the route will differ from regular vehicles. We can charge per use, with a defined cost per time, and a specified validity length. Second, as for motor vehicles, they can follow the highway toll model, but obviously cheaper by 10 or 20 percent. Third, the operating rights must be reported and approved simultaneously with the project, then construction can start. No one wants to incur big losses; the toll collection period, as well as maintenance, will be permanent. Fourth, revenue from the expressway will be distributed back to the local governments of each town proportionally every year. This ratio needs a development assessment and then will be discussed and decided with the towns. Overall, it should be about 10 to 20 percent of annual revenue for each town. Fifth..."

Liu Zhizhong laid out each point and elaborated on them.

Everyone present, except for lighting cigarettes and drinking water, listened intently and felt more and more that Liu Zhizhong's plan had potential.

After he finished speaking, the meeting room erupted in applause.

For the first time, such enthusiastic applause was heard in a meeting room of the Linxi Party Committee in years. Each was from the heart, excited within.

Yang Ze Ping, the secretary, could hardly remain calm and said: "Young people dare to think and act, huh! In this way, the issues basically aren't problematic. However, Mayor Liu, how many years will it take to recover this investment, the risk is quite significant. After all, these four towns are poor, the traffic isn't a lot."

Liu Zhizhong appeared confident, and said: "The four towns have a total population exceeding 100,000, according to the information given by Director Wu. The road usage and fees generated by 100,000 people traveling annually aren't insignificant. Moreover, once the expressway is completed, the four towns will have more economic development opportunities. For example, here in Linxi, next, I plan to use the company's experience and model to start fishing competitions, which will quickly increase popularity and economic resources..."

"Zhangjia Creek here in Linxi, the river is really worth utilizing! Zhangjia Creek is in our town, perfectly suitable for building step-level hydropower stations, forming an artificial reservoir, creating a fishing world, organizing competitions..."

"Additionally, there's more..."

"..."

Oh my ...

Speaking of economy, Liu Zhizhong laid out an impressive design and vision, astonishing a group of leading officials, opening their eyes, and exciting them immensely.

Young people indeed, with such planning and drive, it's really impressive, how can anyone match this?

To become rich, you first build roads, once the road is built, indeed it can develop the economy!

According to Liu Zhizhong's vision, gosh, within the next five years, Linxi will surely experience an economic boom! Nearby Changle, Zishui, and Wangjiang towns can also prosper, this is bloody...

Yang Ze Ping even joked: "Mayor Liu, with your efforts, are you creating the Four Little Dragons of township economies in Dongjiang District? Hahaha..."