On June 10, in the section from Ruichang Road Station to Hudao Station on Qingdao Metro Line 5, the "Yunrui" shield machine completed excavation on the left line. With this, the Hu-Rui section achieved dual-line breakthrough 35 days ahead of the original schedule. Qingdao Metro Line 5 is a "C"-shaped line that links the rail transit network of Qingdao's central area, connecting the three districts of Shinan, Shibei and Laoshan. After the line is completed and put into operation, it will further improve the traffic environment of the island city's urban area and the travel conditions of residents along the line.

Schematic diagram of Qingdao Metro Line 5

"The shield on the left line that broke through this time was launched from Ruichang Road Station on December 12, 2023. The project department successfully completed the major task of passing beneath a Level-1 risk source of 8 railway tracks, including the Jiaozhou-Jinan Railway, with 'zero settlement.' Immediately afterward, it passed through more than a dozen major risk sources, including the ramp bridge of the Ruichang Road interchange, the Ruichang Road pedestrian overpass, oil pipelines and residential areas," introduced Ma Jiaqiang, chief engineer of the project department for Qingdao Metro Line 5 of China Railway 14th Bureau Group. The section from Ruichang Road Station to Hudao Station is a single-tube single-track section with a single-line length of 872 meters. The shield machine set out from the left line of the Rui-Hu section and, over 176 days, completed the dual-line breakthrough construction milestone 35 days ahead of the civil engineering schedule for Line 5.

Another shield machine on Line 5 is launched

"Next, the project department for Qingdao Metro Line 5 of China Railway 14th Bureau Group will actively prepare technical plans and carry out shield machine maintenance to get ready for construction of the next section. We will continue to take team building as a key lever, be guided by the goal system of building a world-class metro, strive for outstanding achievements, and contribute solid strength to Qingdao's urban construction," said Ma Jiaqiang.

It is also learned that on June 3, in the section from Ruichang Road Station to Huanle Binhai City Station to Huanwan Avenue Station on Metro Line 5, the "Huanrui No. 2" slurry balance shield machine was successfully launched on the left line. This is the section on the third-phase line of Qingdao Metro** to be excavated using a slurry balance shield machine. The shield machine has a cutterhead diameter of 6.48 meters, a total length of 96 meters and a weight of 500 tons, and was tailor-made for Qingdao Metro by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Group.

It is understood that the section from Ruichang Road Station to Huanle Binhai City Station to Huanwan Avenue Station has complex geological conditions, with various underground pipelines, numerous high-rise buildings around and busy road traffic. Choosing a slurry shield can both ensure controllable safety risks during excavation and ensure a reliable excavation schedule. Since the shield machine entered the site, the Third Construction Branch of the Metro has organized the participating units to always aim at building a world-class metro, take team building as an important lever for improving the overall project level, and establish the "Harmonious and Forging Ahead" shield team to ensure smooth construction progress.

Qingdao Metro Line 5 starts at Maidao Station and ends at Yunling Road Station. It is a "C"-shaped line linking the rail transit network of Qingdao's central area, with a length of about 32.6 kilometers, all underground, and a total of 27 stations and 1 vehicle depot, including 12 interchange stations. It is the line with the most interchange stations in Qingdao's currently planned network and is scheduled to open in 2028. In the long term, Line 5 will continue to extend eastward along Hong Kong East Road to Shazikou, with an extension of about 7.35 kilometers and 4 stations.

After Line 5 opens, it will drive the planned development of areas such as the Maidao Scenic Area, Ningxia Road residential area, Dagang planned area, CRRC Science and Technology Park, Huanle Binhai City, Yanjiashan residential area, Fushanhou residential area and Shilaoren Scenic Area, further promoting the formation of Qingdao's rail transit backbone network and improving Qingdao's traffic environment and citizens' travel conditions.