The construction of submarine tunnels in China's coastal cities has intensified: the construction of a submarine tunnel in Xiamen and Qingdao is in full swing, and the project to build a submarine tunnel in Dalian will begin this year.

Sources from the supervisory division of the Xiamen Xiang'an tunnel project in Fujian province said that the project for building the first submarine tunnel in China's mainland areas - Xiamen Xiang'an tunnel- is progressing smoothly. By May 29th, one third of the overall project had been completed. This tunnel will have a total length of about 9 km, including a 5.95 km submarine section, and a total investment cost of approximately 3.2 billion yuan.

The tunnel project in Jiaozhou Bay in Qingdao, Shandong province, was formally approved by the National Development and Reform Commission in January 2006. It officially started construction in December. It is the second submarine tunnel in China. At present, construction is progressing smoothly. The tunnel is about 6,170 meters in length, including a trans-sea part of 3,950 meters. The project is a city tunnel that accommodates six-lane, two-way traffic.

Across Dalian Bay, a 6km long submarine tunnel will be built in Dalian. Song Zengbin, vice mayor of Dalian, said that the preparations for the submarine tunnel project in Dalian Bay are essentially finished. The project will start in October 2007, with a preliminary design of six-lane, two-way traffic, and is expected to be completed within two years.

By People's Daily Online