The new dual-lane tunnels and slow-traffic passageway through Banzhang Mt are to be broken through in mid-August and opened by next spring. The passages will connect the North Yingbin-West Renmin intersection in Ningxi to Jiuzhou Avenue in Jida.

The roadways are designed to accommodate a speed of 60 kmph (37 mph). They will form a dual eight-lane structure along with the current Banzhang Tunnel. As of June 2, the first tunnel had 1,065.5 m (1,165 yd) evacuated out of 1,235 m (1,351 yd), and the other had 883.5 m (966 yd) out of 1,220 m (1,334 yd), according to the project head.

The city's first slow-traffic tunnel, with 952.5 m (1,042 yd) out of 1,235 m already drilled, has exclusive lanes for cyclists and pedestrians commuting between Ningxi in New Xiangzhou and Gongbei.  

The three passageways will further alleviate traffic pressure on downtown Zhuhai.

Tunnels under construction

Rendering of slow-traffic tunnel

Workers in the dark [Photos by Chen Lin / Zhuhai Daily]