Trial operations of the submerged Hengqin Tunnel – Zhuhai's first underwater passageway and the first sea-area composite large-diameter shield tunnel in China -- commenced on Nov 1.

The shallow-buried integrated tunnel is the only passenger vehicle-dedicated channel in Hengqin New Area to offer shelter from severe weather. It is a major part of a new roadway project of 2,837 m (1.8 miles) in dual six lanes from Central Avenue in the sorth to traverse North Ring Road (N Huandao Ave).

The tunnel has an inner diameter of 14.5 m (47.6 ft) and is 2,244 m (1.39 miles) long. It passes under the Maliuzhou Waterway, after which it was formerly named, and will proceed northward along a proposed Baozhong Road to Nanwan Avenue in Wanzai. Speeds in the tunnel are set at 60 km/h (37.3 mph).

Hengqin Tunnel north entry [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Methods were innovatively applied in difficult compound strata to construct the tunneling shield, the first such attempt in China's history, according to a project leader. Under the tunnel is an integrated utility system.

This is the third traffic artery to Hengqin New Area from downtown Zhuhai, joining the Hengqin and Second Hengqin bridges. A local official saw the tunnel as being of great significance in the integration of Hengqin, Hongwan, and the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone.

The tunnel was constructed by Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Investment and overseen by the Administrative Committee of Hengqin New Area.