After a brief two-day break, construction on the Xiamen Second West Channel (Haicang Tunnel) resumed its normal pace on February 13, with workers going all out to meet the goal of being ready for traffic in May.

On the morning of February 13, the reporter came to the intersection of Xinghu Road and Chang'an Road in Huli District, where the project department of China Railway 18th Bureau Group is located and which is also the "decisive battleground" for construction of the Second West Channel—after nearly five years of intensive work, only the last 30 to 40 meters of the right-line tunnel remain to be holed through on this 7.1-kilometer cross-island artery that runs beneath Xiamen's western waters.

"More than 900 builders stayed in Xiamen for the Spring Festival this year, working at various operation points along the entire line, with construction manpower reaching 90 percent of normal levels," said a relevant person in charge of the Xiamen Road and Bridge Group's Second West Channel project department. "In more than 20 years in this industry, I have never seen so many workers stay at their posts. Everyone is highly motivated. We have also made solid logistical arrangements; in addition to overtime allowances, supplies of epidemic prevention materials and food are guaranteed in both quantity and quality."

There is a sense of responsibility in staying at their posts, and also the joy of victory in sight—judging from the project schedule, in early March the Xiamen Second West Channel will achieve breakthrough on both the left and right tunnels. During the interview, a worker responsible for civil engineering told the reporter that after the breakthrough he would be able to return to his hometown in Hebei to visit relatives. "The work is almost done. Let's put in one more effort and go back home in March without any burden—that will really make me happy!" he said with a smile.

Excavation is proceeding at full speed, and ancillary works such as mechanical and electrical systems, landscaping and road surfacing are also advancing. During the reporter's interview, the project department was coordinating with a communications company to enter the site and install equipment. Li Gang, chief engineer of the China Railway 18th Bureau Group's Second West Channel project, introduced that similar construction in the past usually involved holing through first and then advancing ancillary works, but the Second West Channel, relying on advanced technology and first-class management, has achieved simultaneous and interleaved progress, effectively saving construction time.

[Voices]

A relevant person in charge of the project department:

"In more than 20 years in this industry, I have never seen so many workers stay at their posts."

A civil engineering worker:

"Let's put in one more effort and go back home in March without any burden—that will really make me happy!"

[Project Profile]

Second West Channel

The Second West Channel connects Xiamen Island and Haicang District and is an important part of the inner ring line of the city's "two rings and eight radials" expressway network. Together with the Second East Channel (Xiang'an Bridge), it forms the east-west artery running through Xiamen Island. The route is 7.1 kilometers long, including a 6.3-kilometer tunnel, with a sea-crossing width of 2.8 kilometers. It is designed as a dual six-lane road with a speed of 80 kilometers per hour. The project started in the first half of 2016 and is expected to be ready for traffic in May this year.