The Zhushan Lake Tunnel, a key component of the Yixing-Mashan Expressway and co-built by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, officially opened to traffic on December 26.
As the longest underwater tunnel of Jiangsu provincial highway in China, it enables seamless connectivity with the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou South Expressway. Travel time between Mashan and Yixing has now been reduced to approximately 10 minutes, saving commuters around 30 minutes when compared with the previous route.
Aerial view of the Zhushan Lake Tunnel entrance [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The Yixing-Mashan Expressway stretches approximately 16.7 kilometers, with the Zhushan Lake Tunnel running for 7.81 kilometers. Designed with a dual six-lane configuration beneath Zhushan Lake, the tunnel's power supply systems were constructed by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. The work included the installation and commissioning of high- and low-voltage equipment across 37 substations, cable laying and power monitoring system installations.
Zhushan Lake Tunnel [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
During the low-voltage cabinet installation phase, the construction team utilized advanced domestic maintenance-free cabinet models. These systems are designed to minimize maintenance needs, enable rapid fault detection and streamline repairs, enhancing overall reliability while reducing long-term operational costs. In the power monitoring systems, the team employed an integrated platform to ensure real-time monitoring and optimize energy use.
The opening of the Yixing-Mashan Expressway is expected to significantly improve the road network between Wuxi and Changzhou. It will serve as a major transportation artery supporting coordinated development between Wuxi and Yixing, injecting fresh momentum into regional economic and social growth, and supporting the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
