China has proudly introduced its largest self-developed tunnel-boring machine, marking a significant milestone in the country's engineering prowess. This impressive machine, capable of excavating tunnels up to 16.64 meters in diameter, was manufactured in Changsha, Hunan Province, through a collaboration between China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (CRCHI) and China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd.
Measuring 145 meters in length and weighing approximately 5,000 tonnes, the machine features a cutterhead with a diameter comparable to that of a five or six-story building. Zhao Hui, chairman of CRCHI, highlighted that this development represents a major achievement in the industrialization of large-diameter, 16-meter-class tunnel boring technology in China.
The newly unveiled tunnel-boring machine is set to play a crucial role in a large-scale tunneling project beneath the Yangtze River. This project aims to establish a major trans-river road link between Nantong and Taicang in Jiangsu Province. Upon completion, the project is expected to enhance road networks and support integrated development within the Yangtze River Delta, thereby boosting regional connectivity and fostering economic growth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
