China's 22.13km Tianshan Shengli Tunnel in Xinjiang opened on Friday, slashing the drive through the Tianshan Mountains to 20 minutes. The centerpiece of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, it halves travel time between the regional capital Urumqi and Korla from over seven hours to about 3½ hours. The project aims to bolster regional and international links.
The 22.13km (13.75-mile) Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world's longest expressway tunnel, officially opened on Friday as the centerpiece of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway. It creates a 20-minute drive through the Tianshan Mountains, which divide northern and southern Xinjiang, according to state media.
The tunnel halves the journey between the regional capital Urumqi and the city of Korla from over seven hours to around 3½ hours. Song Hailiang, chairman of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), told state broadcaster CCTV that the tunnel “set two world records”.
“It is the longest expressway tunnel in the world and has the deepest vertical shaft for a highway tunnel,” Song said. Construction on the expressway began in April 2020, with engineers facing challenges from the terrain and environment.
Described as the biggest project of its kind globally, it is expected to forge stronger regional and international links, including ties to Central Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative.