World's longest expressway tunnel built in Xinjiang

By CUI JIA in Beijing and MAO WEIHUA in Urumqi | China Daily | Updated: 2024-12-31 07:31 The 319.72-kilometer Urumqi-Yuli Expressway winds its way through the Tianshan Mountains in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. LIU JUN/FOR CHINA DAILY China completed on Monday the construction of the world's longest expressway tunnel through snow-covered mountains in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, marking a significant milestone in its infrastructure development. Once operational, the 22.13-kilometer Tianshan Shengli Tunnel will reduce the travel time through the Tianshan Mountains — one of the longest mountain ranges in the world — from three hours to about 20 minutes. The team adopted the construction pattern of three drifts and four shafts, according to China Communications Construction Xinjiang Transportation Investment and Development Co, which built the tunnel.