Expressway from Xi′an City to Hanzhong City(Xihan Expressway)is an important part of the national freeway network.As a pivotal part of the spider-net shaped provincial transport framework

it connects the northern and southern mountainous areas of Qinling Mountains.The road serves also as an essential corridor facilitating West China.The Huxian—Mianxian section of the expressway perforated through the major mountains of Qinling

where the complex topography is characterized with tall mountains and deep valleys.As a result

the construction of the section has to follow strict engineering standards with high technical requirements

owing to the excessive needs of bridges and tunnels.This study discussed the approaches applied to conserve soils during the construction

their effects

and the experiences obtained in some successful cases.The existing issues were also analysed and summarized for the construction and the followed mitigation of the spoil disposal areas.Last but not least

some suggestions and preventative measures were made for future expressway construction.