After more than 520 days of arduous efforts, on August 8, the dual tunnels of the Hulutouzi Tunnel, part of the Benxi-Huanren Expressway project—a key highway project in Liaoning Province—were fully connected. The project was co-invested by CREC, with China Railway Investment Group and China Railway Beijing Engineering Group overseeing construction and management. This marks the first extra-long tunnel along the Benxi-Huanren Expressway to achieve dual tunnel breakthrough.
Located in Huanren Manchu Autonomous County in Benxi, Liaoning Province, the left tunnel of Hulutouzi Tunnel spans 3,020 meters, while the right tunnel extends 3,057 meters. The tunnel is a separated extra-long tunnel, with surrounding rock conditions ranging from Class III to Class V, of which approximately 80% is Class IV rock, mainly consisting of andesite and granite. The rock mass is relatively fragmented, posing significant safety risks during construction.
To overcome the challenges posed by adverse geological conditions, the project team focused on creating a high-quality project. They adjusted construction methods in real-time based on advanced geological forecasts and changes in the surrounding rock at the site, and increased the frequency of tunnel monitoring. These measures effectively ensured the progress of the project while reducing safety risks. Ultimately, the tunnel breakthrough was achieved 17 days ahead of the scheduled timeline.
