Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    WORK on Chunfeng Tunnel in Luohu District, the city’s first double-layer tunnel, was officially initiated yesterday.

    The tunnel, a key project of the city’s Going East Strategy, starts east of Shangbu Flyover of Binhe Boulevard and ends south of Xinxiu Flyover. The 5.08-km project, including the 4.82-km tunnel, connects Binhe Boulevard in the west to Yanhe North Road in the east.

    The trip from Shangbu Flyover to Xinxiu Flyover will take only six minutes after the tunnel is completed in 2020. According to Shenzhen’s transport commission, the project will use the largest shield machine in China, which is 15.76 meters in diameter and higher than a five-story building. The machine will have a minimal impact on the neighborhood, the commission said.

    Binhe Boulevard has been the first choice for drivers going between Luohu and Futian. Chunfeng Flyover in Luohu District, which has two lanes going one way, has caused a bottleneck for traffic between the two districts. Construction of the tunnel will greatly relieve traffic congestion on Binhe Boulevard and Luosha Road. The Xinxiu and Luofang flyovers will also be renovated to make travel between Luohu and Yantian districts faster.