On May 9, the “Qihang” tunnel boring machine (TBM) began excavation on the south line of the Yellow River tunnel in Jinan, boasting an impressive excavation diameter of 15.06 meters.
On May 9, the “Qihang” tunnel boring machine began excavation on the south line of the Yellow River tunnel in Jinan. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The project was undertaken by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Corporation Limited, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited.
The Yellow River tunnel has a total length of 3,888 meters, with 3,252 meters to be excavated using a shield machine. It is designed as a six-lane, bidirectional highway with a speed limit of 60 km/h.
The project faces significant engineering challenges. The TBM must pass beneath the Yellow River, river embankments, and silty floodplain layers. The ground is mostly sticky silty clay with hard calcareous nodules, which can cause tool wear, mud buildup, and equipment blockages. Since the river sits above the surrounding ground, strict settlement control is also required.
Once completed, the tunnel will enhance Jinan’s cross-river road network and improve connectivity between the city’s highways and major transportation hubs.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
