CONSTRUCTION on the 10.7-kilometer-long Bantian-Yinhu Passage, including a 4.6-kilometer tunnel through Jigong Mountain, will be completed by the end of 2017, six months ahead of schedule.

    It will cut the travel time between Bantian in Longgang District and Futian CBD to 12 minutes upon completion.

    The passage starts at Shangbu Flyover on Nigang Road in Luohu District and ends at Banxuegang Boulevard in Bantian.

    According to the construction plan, four interchange overpasses will be built along the way to connect Nigang Road, Beihuan Boulevard, Nanping Expressway and Huancheng Road. The tunnel will be designed for a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour.

    The tunnel and bridge projects account for 90 percent of the total road project.

    “Four engineering projects has been developed simultaneously at the Bantian-Yinhu Passage since it was started in December last year. The 4.6-kilometer tunnel project has been progressing smoothly. The passage could be completed six months ahead of schedule,” said an official with the city’s transport commission, surnamed Huang, as quoted by the Southern Metropolis Daily Thursday.

    The Bantian-Yinhu Passage will link downtown Shenzhen with the central areas of other districts and new areas and is expected to improve traffic between Bantian and Shangbu as well as Huaqiangbei and Luohu District.

    Public transport will be given priority in the passage, occupying the left two lanes of the six-lane road. During rush hours, the middle lanes will be used for high-occupancy vehicles. Only the right lanes are designated for private cars. Trucks and heavy vehicles carrying dangerous and poisonous goods will be forbidden from driving on the road.

    The north-south road is expected to relieve traffic pressure on the former Meilin and Qingping Checkpoints, the transport commission said.

    (Han Ximin)