The new road begins at the base of the mountain and replaces a 108-kilometre-long track leading to the camp, which is 5,200 metres above sea level. The construction is slated to take around four months, said Xinhua.
The road is being built to "ease the path of those bearing the Olympic torch," added the report. It also said the highway would make base camp more accessible for the increasing numbers of tourists who visit the camp.
