In early spring, the ice and snow across Shanxi have not yet fully melted, but the builders of Taiyuan Metro from China Railway 14th Bureau Group have already seized the opportunity and set off a surge of vigorous construction. Recently, the construction of Taiyuan Rail Transit Line 1 has achieved successive successes:

On February 25, as the "Fenjin No. 1" shield machine slowly entered the preset steel sleeve, the double-line tunnel between Dananmen Station and Taoyuan Road Station on Taiyuan Rail Transit Line 1 was completed, making it the 10th double-line tunnel section completed on the entire line.

On February 26, the shield machine "Fenjin No. 2" on the left line of the section from Yingze Bridge West Station to Taoyuan Road Station (Fenhe Tunnel) on Taiyuan Rail Transit Line 1 successfully crossed the Fenhe River, marking a key milestone for the first shield tunnel across the thousand-Li Fenhe River and a breakthrough victory in the most difficult part of the entire line.

Panoramic view of the ground above the Fenhe Tunnel of Taiyuan Rail Transit Line 1

The Fenhe River is the second-largest tributary of the Yellow River basin and the mother river of Shanxi Province, running from south to north through the entire city of Taiyuan. The shield tunnel section from Yingze Bridge West Station to Taoyuan Road Station has a total length of 1,278 meters. The section passes beneath the Fenhe River and along the way crosses important structures such as the east and west approach bridges and bridge piles of Yingze Bridge. The maximum overburden depth reaches 27 meters, and the groundwater volume is large, consisting of fully liquefied water-rich sand layers under high water pressure. The shield tunnel section from Dananmen Station to Taoyuan Road Station is located on the lower section of Yingze Avenue in Taiyuan, adjacent to the Provincial Government and the Provincial Television Station. The construction site is extremely narrow and construction is highly difficult.

Entrance of the Fenhe Tunnel

In response to the risks and difficulties of the project, the project department took multiple measures to ensure the smooth crossing of the Fenhe River by the shield machine. Well-known domestic shield experts were invited to hold demonstration meetings, adaptive modifications were made to the shield machine, and full-process informatized construction was implemented to ensure controllable construction safety. After more than 20 days of tunneling "under the river," the shield machine "Fenjin No. 2" on the left line of the section achieved a safe crossing. During this period, no impact was caused to the Fenhe River or Yingze Bridge, and no water leakage occurred in the tunnel.

Taiyuan Metro Route Map (Official Website of Taiyuan Metro)

Taiyuan Rail Transit Line 1 connects multiple railway, highway passenger transport, and aviation hubs. Once completed and opened to traffic, it will add another major artery to Taiyuan's urban transportation and is of great significance for improving Taiyuan's functions as a national comprehensive transportation hub city.