Abstract: Based on comparative method, this paper discusses generalities and characteristics of highway construction progress in China and the United States from the aspects of construction speed and investment scale, and points out that our highway construction has entered into a developing
stage of high speed since 1996. Through quantitative analysis, in the following 18 years, i.e.，from 2003 to 2020, China’s highway construction will develop at a high speed of annual growth of 7.1 million kilometers (including 2500一2600 kilometers expressway) in highway mileage, and the
annual capital input level of highway construction investment should remain at 2%～3% of the GDP among which, it should keep above 2.5% before 2010 and 2%～2.5% after 2010.

Key words: highway, construction speed, capital input level, GDP

摘要： 从公路建设速度及投资规模两个侧面对比分析了中美两国公路建设历程的共性与特性，认为我国公路建设己从1996年起进人高速发展阶段.通过定量分析，预测从目前到2020年的18年间，我国公路建设将以年均新增总里程7.1万公里(其中高速公路2500～2600公里)的较高速度持续发展，每年的公路建设资金投人水平将需要维持在当年GDP的2%～3%，其中2010年前应保持在2. 5%以上，2010年后也需要保持在2%～2.5%之间.

关键词: 公路, 建设速度, 资金投人水平, GDP