This year, Shijiazhuang will complete 18.23 km of underground utility tunnel construction, Cangzhou 15.55 km, Baoding 14.32 km, Xingtai 11 km, Qinhuangdao 9.86 km, Handan 8.69 km, Tangshan 7.08 km, and Luanping County in Chengde 1 km. Hebei Province recently issued the "Notice on Strengthening the Planning, Construction and Management of Urban Underground Utility Tunnels," clarifying the near-term tasks and work priorities for various localities.

The notice emphasizes that cities without construction start-up tasks in 2016 should also actively plan underground utility tunnel construction projects, carry out preparatory work well, and ensure completion of the construction task set by the provincial government: "by the end of 2017, start construction of no less than 10 km of underground utility tunnel demonstration projects."

According to the requirements, all localities should promptly prepare special plans, ensure construction quality and safety, and strengthen the operation and management of underground utility tunnels. The special plans for urban underground utility tunnels in cities with established municipal status should be completed by the end of October this year. The special plans for urban underground utility tunnels in each city should, in accordance with the content requirements of the preparation guidelines, reasonably determine the underground utility tunnel areas and define three-dimensional control lines such as spatial locations and supporting facility land. The planning period for special plans for underground utility tunnels should combine near-term and long-term considerations and be consistent with the overall urban (rural) master plan. The national technical specifications for urban underground utility tunnel engineering should be strictly implemented, and structural design, durability design, and seismic design of underground utility tunnels should be carried out according to the requirements of century-long projects. While stepping up construction, all localities should promptly establish underground utility tunnel construction and operation management units to ensure they are put into operation on schedule.