The north-line shield tunnel of the Jinan Hangtian Avenue Yellow River Tunnel was completed on June 8, marking an important milestone for the project.

The tunnel is key to Jinan's cross-Yellow River transportation network. The project's main route stretches 3,888 meters and is planned as a two-way, six-lane urban arterial road with a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour.

The newly completed north-line shield tunnel measures 3,245 meters long and was excavated by the 15-meter-diameter tunnel boring machine "Zhengcheng". During construction, the project team overcame complex geological conditions and multiple high-risk sections, developing a series of new techniques for mega-diameter shield tunneling beneath the Yellow River's perched river section. The experience is expected to provide important insights for similar projects nationwide.

Once completed and opened to traffic, the tunnel will greatly improve connectivity between the northern and southern banks, reducing the time to cross the river to about eight minutes. The project will also strengthen transportation links, support the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, and contribute to Jinan's urban growth.

The north line of the Jinan Hangtian Avenue Yellow River Tunnel achieves a breakthrough. [Photo/VCG]