With the construction of the 829-meter southern section completed on May 13, the first tunnel in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone is very close to becoming operational in June.

A digger works on the southern section of the Niuzhaishan Tunnel, which is the first tunnel in Pingtan, on May 13. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

The Niuzhaishan Tunnel, which stretches 1,697 meters, is an important part of the Jinjing Bay Boulevard. The double arc-tube tunnel will span four lanes in each direction.

Workers will put the final touches to the road surface and walls, reinforcing the rock faces with concrete, and installing cables and pipelines in the next stage.

The construction team had targeted a starting date for the tunnel some time in June.

After opening to traffic, the tunnel will save about 20 minutes for drivers who previously had to take a detour, according to a project manager.