LHASA, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- A new highway passing through the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, known as the world's deepest canyon with a maximum depth of 6,009 meters, is near completion in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Construction of the 67.22-km highway began in 2014, which connects Pad Township in the city of Nyingchi and Medog County.

So far, the construction of the main roads of the highway has been completed, while auxiliary facilities are still being fixed.

The project has been undertaken by the China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd.

The highway was built on the former hiking route between Nyingchi's Pad Township and Baibung Township, Medog County, with an altitude difference of up to 2,892 meters between the highest and lowest spots of the road.

It is the second significant passageway to Medog, following the first one connecting the county and Zhamog Township, Bomi County.

After the new highway opens to traffic, the road length connecting the city proper of Nyingchi and Medog County will be shortened to 180 km from 346 km, cutting travel time by about eight hours.