World's Longest Expressway Tunnel Opens in China
🚗🌏 World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel Opens in China — A New Era for Transportation
In a landmark achievement for infrastructure and engineering, China has officially opened the world’s longest expressway tunnel — the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel — a massive 22.13-kilometer (13.75-mile) roadway carved through the rugged Tianshan Mountains in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The tunnel began serving traffic on December 26, 2025, marking a major milestone in global transport and regional connectivity. �
South China Morning Post +1
A Record-Setting Engineering Marvel
The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel holds the world record as the longest expressway tunnel ever constructed, eclipsing other major road tunnels by considerable distance. Part of the G0711 Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, this tunnel dramatically changes the way people and goods move across one of China’s largest provinces. �
South China Morning Post
Built after years of meticulous planning and construction, the tunnel cuts through extremely challenging mountain terrain. The geological conditions in the Tianshan Mountains presented engineering obstacles — from high altitudes to unpredictable rock formations — that required advanced tunnel-boring techniques and precise coordination. �
The Times of India
From Hours to Minutes — Transforming Travel
One of the most striking benefits of the tunnel is the vastly reduced travel time between the northern and southern parts of Xinjiang. Before the tunnel’s opening, drivers traversing the Tianshan region faced a long, winding journey of several hours over mountain roads. Thanks to the new tunnel, that trip can now be completed in about 20 minutes — a revolutionary change for commuters and logistics alike. �
www.ndtv.com +1
This transformative effect extends to the broader Urumqi-Korla corridor, where travel durations have dropped from around seven hours to approximately three. Such efficiency gains are expected to boost regional commerce, tourism, and everyday mobility across Xinjiang. �
Ecns
A Strategic Link in China’s Transport Network
The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel is more than just a tunnel — it’s a key link in China’s expanding expressway system. The Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, which the tunnel helps connect, stretches hundreds of kilometers, with dozens of bridges and smaller tunnels included in the route. This extensive infrastructure project reflects China’s ongoing efforts to improve connectivity in its vast western territories. �
Ecns
By connecting key population centers and economic hubs in northern and southern Xinjiang, the tunnel will play an important role in economic development, trade, and transport efficiency. Regions that were previously difficult to reach during winter months due to snow and ice are now more accessible year-round, enabling more stable transport of goods and services. �
Ecns
Engineering Triumph and Global Recognition
The tunnel’s construction required state-of-the-art techniques. Chinese engineers implemented a “three tunnels + four vertical shafts” strategy — meaning the main northbound and southbound traffic tubes are complemented by a central pilot tunnel dedicated to emergencies and safety operations, enhancing both efficiency and safety. �
Guinness World Records
According to Guinness World Records, the tunnel’s length of 22.130 kilometers firmly places it atop the list of expressway tunnels worldwide. It’s also notable for the sheer scale of its construction, requiring tens of millions of cubic meters of rock to be removed and thousands of workers on site over several years. �
Guinness World Records
Economic and Social Impact
The benefits of such a mega-project are extensive:
Economic Growth: By improving transport efficiency, the tunnel is expected to stimulate commerce between cities and rural areas.
Regional Integration: It enhances access to remote regions, promoting cultural and economic exchanges.
Safety Gains: Travel through treacherous mountainous roads, especially in winter, becomes safer — reducing accidents and weather-related delays.
Logistics Efficiency: Faster freight movement boosts industries and helps integrate Xinjiang with international trade routes. �
Ecns
Looking Ahead
China’s Tianshan Shengli Tunnel represents a new benchmark in transportation infrastructure — not just for the nation but for the world. As global demand grows for faster, safer, and more sustainable travel routes, projects like this highlight how engineering innovation can reshape entire regions. �
The Times of India
For Xinjiang’s residents and travelers, the tunnel is more than a record-breaking feat — it’s a lifeline that shortens distances, opens opportunities, and connects communities in ways once thought unimaginable. And as global infrastructure continues to evolve, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel will stand as a shining example of what human ingenuity can achieve when ambition meets expertise. �
China Daily
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