China’s Longest Urban Tunnel Group- Hangzhou Zizhi Tunnel that was Constructed by STEC Opened to Traffic

2016-08

After more than 3 years' construction, Zizhi Tunnel, the largest urban tunnel group in China and the longest tunnel in Hangzhou, was opened to traffic at 10.00 a.m. on August 10. STEC participated in construction of this tunnel. By now, the westernmost "one north-south line" of "four north-south and five east-west lines" expressway net has been completely connected.
Zizhi Tunnel connects with Zhipu Road to the south and Zijingang Road to the north after passing such mountains as Daqinggu and Longwu along West Lake Tourist Attraction and going through Xixi Road and Tianmushan Road, with a total length of 14.4km and two-way 6 lanes. The tunnel group consisting of three extra-long tunnels and two bridges & culverts is the largest and longest urban tunnel group in China. The section from Zijingang Road to Zhijiang Road is constructed by STEC by using shallow tunneling method. It is a shallow buried tunnel with the largest excavation cross section, longest excavation distance and most complex geological conditions in China.
After Zizhi Tunnel is opened to traffic, it takes only 15 minutes from the northwest to the south of Hanzhou city, thus solving the problem of lack of traffic network in the southwest district of Hangzhou and ending the history of no urban arterial road in this district. Additionally, this tunnel can help to improve the present situation of traffic congestion in Hangzhou downtown, relieve the traffic pressure on Zhonghe-Shangtang Elevated Road, Tianmushan Road, Huancheng West Road, Huancheng North Road and other roads and solve the problem of traffic jam from the northwest to the southwest in part main urban areas.
Meanwhile, operation of this tunnel contributes to the environment protection of West Lake Tourist Attraction. Zizhi Tunnel, as a traffic shortcut that passes through West Lake Tourist Attraction quickly, will attract a large number of vehicles going through the Tourist Attraction, thereby easing the traffic congestion in the Tourist Attraction, shunting its traffic and reducing the interference of through traffic with the Tourist Attraction.