By hannover-web.com In an exclusive interview, we spoke with Wang Xinning, a technician from the China Communications Construction Company, who is currently overseeing the construction of the Tianshan Victory Tunnel, part of the longest highway tunnel in the world now under development on the U0711 highway between Urumqi and Yili. With completion expected by the end of the year, the project has entered a crucial final phase.
“The three-arm rock drilling rig in the left tunnel is actively making progress, while the right tunnel is busy removing debris. Over 450 workers are putting in long hours around the clock to ensure we meet our deadline for connecting the tunnel by year’s end,” Wang explains.
The Tianshan Victory Tunnel stretches an impressive 22.13 kilometers, nestled deep in the Tianshan Mountains at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. This tunnel serves as a critical component of the Urumqi-Yili Expressway.
Currently, the construction team has completed 12.6 kilometers of excavation at the exit end and 9 kilometers at the entrance, bringing them close to completion. Despite facing challenges such as extreme cold, low oxygen levels, and complex geological conditions, the project team remains steadfast. They are leveraging technology and innovation to overcome these obstacles.
Once operational, the Urumqi-Yili Expressway is expected to significantly reduce travel time, cutting the journey from Urumqi to Korla from 7 hours to just about 3 hours — with a quick 20-minute transit through the Tianshan Mountains.
