Lane of metro line tunnel opened through to Hengqin

The left lane of the Hengqin Tunnel was drilled to daylight on June 7, connecting Zhuhai Station in Gongbei with Hengqin New Area as part of the Airport Urban Rail Transit Phase I project.

Construction site 

Mine tunneling involves digging, drilling, and blasting during excavation and construction and is most commonly used for underground passages at mine sites.

Running through Hengqin Mountain Range, the tunnel extends to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. The left and right lines are each one lane separated by a 17.6-m divide.

Hengqin Tunnel [Photos by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]

Construction began in September 2014 with preparations to optimize the blast scheme so as not to affect the natural environment and rare animals of Chimelong Ocean Kingdom.

According to a project leader, 65 percent of the work has been completed with 120 m to go for breakthrough in the right line.

The Phase I project is scheduled for completion in 2018.