Builders of the Shengli Tunnel in the Tien Shan Mountains

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Shengli tunnel with a length of about 22 km is currently the longest highway tunnel under construction in China, Xinhua reported.

It runs through the Tien Shan mountain range and belongs to the super-long road tunnels built in a cold high-altitude climate at a significant height above sea level. This is a key object of the G0711 Urumqi-Yuli National Expressway of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwest China. The construction of the tunnel began in 2020 and is scheduled to be completed in 6 years.

According to technical specialists, even the most modern tunneling equipment cannot yet do without human labor at some stages of construction. Therefore, during the lunar New Year celebrations, more than 300 workers will be on 24-hour shift duty at the Shengli tunnel, continuing to stubbornly push through the Tien Shan.