China Completes Construction of World's Longest Expressway Tunnel
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News | China completed the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world's longest expressway tunnel. |
| Tunnel Length | 22.13 kilometers |
| Location | Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China |
| Part of | Urumqi-Yuli Expressway |
| Impact on Travel Time | Reduces travel time across the Tianshan Mountains from 3 hours to 20 minutes |
| Construction Start | April 2020 |
| Construction Challenges | High-altitude (over 3,000 meters), complex geological formations, proximity to Tianshan No. 1 Glacier and Urumqi's water source protection area |
| Engineering Feat | First use of tunnel boring machines in China's road tunnel projects |
| Strategic Importance | Enhances connectivity between northern and southern Xinjiang, boosts economic growth, aligns with BRI |
| Environmental Measures | High ecological protection standards to minimize environmental impact |
| Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) | Global infrastructure strategy launched in 2013, involving over 140 countries and trillions of dollars in investments |
| BRI Objectives | Infrastructure development, economic integration, cultural exchange |