The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world’s longest expressway tunnel, officially opened to traffic on Friday in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The completion of the 22.13-kilometer project marks a milestone in China’s infrastructure development, effectively bridging the geographical divide between the northern and southern reaches of the region.
Part of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, the tunnel traverses the Tianshan Mountains, reducing a previously arduous journey to a 20-minute drive. According to state media reports, the new route slashes travel time between the regional capital of Urumqi and the city of Korla from over seven hours to approximately 3.5 hours.
Song Hailiang, chairman of China Communications Construction Company, noted that the project established two global records: it is the longest expressway tunnel ever built and features the world’s deepest vertical shaft for a highway tunnel. Construction began in April 2020, requiring engineers to navigate complex geological conditions and extreme environmental hurdles over a five-year period.
The opening follows news that China is also set to begin construction on a massive 1,980-kilometer railway linking Hotan in Xinjiang with Lhasa in Tibet. That project, estimated to cost 400 billion yuan, will navigate glaciers and mountain ranges at altitudes exceeding 4,500 meters. Together, these projects reflect a concerted effort to enhance connectivity within China’s western borderlands and strengthen trade links with Central Asia.
