Abstract:The rationality of expressway alignment directly affects the fulfillment of project traffic functions and the overall operational efficiency of the regional road network. In built-up urban areas, especially in the central urban areas of megacities, how to select a reasonable expressway route must address numerous complex controlling factors. Based on the alignment selection of the Caobao Road Expressway in Shanghai, by comparing its different alignment systems, the comprehensive evaluation is conducted on the influences from the multiple dimensions of traffic function, urban land use and landscape, rail transit, railway corridor and construction organization. An optimal alignment scheme that balances traffic function and socio-environmental benefits is determined. The research findings can provide a useful reference for alignment selection of similar expressway projects in central urban areas.