August 6, at the diaphragm wall construction site of the shield launching shaft for Section A4 of the Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge (Xiamen Section).

August 6 — The Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge (Xiamen Section) is expected to complete construction of the diaphragm wall of the shield launching shaft in mid-August, creating conditions for the subsequent foundation pit excavation.

According to the design, the main line of the Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge (Xiamen Section) extends from the main island toward Dadeng Island in Xiang'an, with a branch line connecting to the Xiang'an urban area; the main line is approximately 17.3 kilometers long. Sections A4 and A5 are land sections at the main island end, with main construction content including a 1.3-kilometer shield tunnel and a 7.1-kilometer cut-and-cover tunnel.

Underground crossing with shield tunneling. According to reports, the 1.3-kilometer underpass tunnel connecting to the main bridge will be constructed using the shield method. To create the driving space for a future dual-direction, six-lane underground tunnel, the shield machine used has been specially designed with an excavation diameter of 16.15 meters, the largest of its kind in the province.

August 6 — At the project construction site, the launching shaft, the starting point of the underground shield construction, has begun to take shape. The entire launching shaft measures 28 meters in length, 52 meters in width, and 30.3 meters in height. After the diaphragm wall is completed, the contractor will carry out excavation within the launching shaft to open up the working face for the shield machine. Based on current progress, the project is expected to complete modification of the shield machine by the end of this year; after being transported to the site for installation and commissioning, shield tunneling will officially begin in March next year.