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The construction of a grand project traversing the Tianshan Mountain Range | |
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![]() The entrance to the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel under construction on December 20, 2024 (XINHUA)
A groundbreaking achievement was made in the central Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on December 30, 2024. The 22-km Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, part of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, was successfully completed, connecting the region's northern and southern areas via a direct route running through the mountain range. The project took six years to complete. Thousands of workers, enduring the harsh conditions of Tianshan at altitudes over 3,000 meters, including fierce winds and heavy snow, worked to carve through the mountains and complete the tunnel. Once operational later this year, the tunnel will cut travel time across the mountains from about three hours to just 20 minutes, bringing benefits to the economic and social development of both northern and southern Xinjiang. A road for the people The Tianshan Mountain Range, recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Natural Heritage Site, stretches over 2,500 km from east to west, including 1,700 km across Xinjiang, acting as a massive barrier that divides Xinjiang into north and south. For centuries, the imposing mountains hindered travel between the two parts of the region. For herders living at the foot of the mountains, such as Ba Ye, the mountainous terrain presented a challenge in accessing basic services. "If I need to go to northern Xinjiang for medical treatment, I have to make a detour. When snow blocks the roads, I have to turn back," Ba Ye explained. The mountains not only obstructed travel but also hindered the development of the region. The pastoral area of Ba Ye's village, Hejing County, has abundant livestock, yet because of the mountains, the transportation routes are treacherous, making it difficult for local products to reach distant markets. Cadir Abulizi, a truck driver who frequently travels between Hejing and the regional capital of Urumqi, noted that in winter, icy roads often leave trucks carrying coal, agricultural products, and chemicals stranded in the mountainous terrain. Starting from the 1950s, China embarked on a mission to build roads across the mountains to connect north and south Xinjiang. Thousands of workers were dispatched to the mountains, opening roads, building bridges and constructing paths that resembled giant ribbons winding across the rugged landscape. In 2013, the Central Government announced an ambitious plan to build the shortest route connecting the north and the south of Xinjiang. The Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, scheduled to open to traffic this year, is part of this plan. From Urumqi in the north to the southern cities and towns of Baluntai, Korla, and Yuli, the expressway stretches approximately 320 km. Driving time between Urumqi and Yuli will be reduced from about seven hours to just over three hours. The construction of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway officially began in 2019. Among the many challenges of this project, the 22-km Tianshan Shengli Tunnel was considered one of the most critical sections of the entire route, often referred to as the "ultimate challenge" due to its extreme geological complications. The government committed nearly 13 billion yuan (1.8 billion) to the tunnel project, assembling top domestic technical teams and advanced engineering equipment to dig through the mountain range. After six years of work, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel was drilled through. "The completion of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel is a milestone achievement, demonstrating China's confidence and ability to overcome the challenges of constructing major transportation infrastructure in extremely complex geological conditions. This tunnel has brought new vitality to remote regions through improving transport connectivity," said Zheng Mingquan, deputy director of the regional administration of transportation law enforcement. ![]() A construction vehicle passes the entrance of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel in Urumqi County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on December 30, 2024 (XINHUA)
A road of self-reliance Opening the topographic map of the Tianshan, one will find the complexity of its geological formations striking. Even more remarkable is the fact that the thousands of workers were able to complete a project of such magnitude within this challenging terrain. "Building this tunnel was an unprecedented challenge," said Peng Wenbo, an engineer at CCCC Second Highway Consultants Co. Ltd., who was responsible for the tunnel's design. Having participated in several other major transportation projects, Peng knew all too well the difficulties of working in the harsh Tianshan environment. "The extreme conditions here made many people hesitant to even begin surveying the site," he added. Located at an altitude of over 3,000 meters, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel experiences an average annual temperature of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, with the lowest temperatures plunging to minus 41.5 degrees. Even in summer, heavy snowstorms are common. "These extreme external conditions posed severe challenges for the construction workers," Peng continued. Additionally, the geological conditions in the mountains are particularly challenging, with high ground stress and seismic activities. The tunnel passes through 16 geological fault zones, with fragile rock formations. "The maximum ground stress in the tunnel is nearly 22 megapascals, which means a piece of rock the size of a fingernail has to bear over 200 kg of weight. During construction, we risked encountering rock bursts, with a destructive power comparable to a 4- to 5-magnitude earthquake," Peng explained. After extensive research, a new "three-tunnel, four-vertical-shaft" construction method was developed. "The new method cut the entire tunnel into segments and conducted the construction in stages, which reduced the timeline from 72 months to 52 months," said Mao Jinbo, Chief Engineer of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, Section 6. "This was the first instance in China's highway tunnel construction where hard rock tunnel boring machines were utilized, implementing the injection-molding construction method. The method, independently developed by China, is globally pioneering. As the project advanced, the challenges grew, but the equipment and technology we utilized became more advanced." Moreover, just 10 km from the tunnel's entrance is the Tianshan No.1 Glacier, a drinking water source for Urumqi, requiring the project to adhere to high ecological protection standards. To safeguard the environment, the project was carried out with ecological priorities at every stage, from feasibility studies to construction and operation. "We replaced concrete pouring with steel plates and implemented intelligent wastewater treatment. We also immediately repaired any turf damaged during construction," Mao said. A road to the future As the New Year approached, despite the freezing temperatures and snow-covered landscapes of the central Tianshan Mountains, Haxie, the head of a small village in Hejing County, was busier than ever. Haxie has been working tirelessly with local governments to bring his village's new homestay project to life. "With the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel completed and the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway to open to traffic, our village now has a major opportunity to develop its tourism," Haxie explained. With new transportation infrastructure, travel between northern and southern Xinjiang has become more convenient. This has driven the growth of industries such as tourism, enhancing their competitiveness. "Our village mainly engages in livestock farming. With easier transportation, our products can reach broader markets," Haxie added. Efficient transport networks have ensured stable incomes for farmers and injected strong momentum into rural economic development. BR The author holds a Ph.D. in International Communication from Beijing Foreign Studies University and has extensive work experience in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Print Edition: Tunnel Vision) Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon Comments to ffli@cicgamericas.com |
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