New Guanjiao Tunnel
New Guanjiao Tunnel [1](Chinese: 新关角隧道; pinyin: Xīn Guānjiǎo Suìdào) is a tunnel on the 2nd line of Qinghai–Tibet Railway in Guanjiao Mountain, Qinghai province. It is dual-bored, double-track rail tunnel. The total length of the tunnel is 32.645 km (20.285 mi), which makes it the longest railway tunnel in China.
Overview | |
---|---|
Line | Qinghai–Tibet Railway |
Location | Guanjiao Mountain |
Coordinates | 37°8′40″N 99°4′59″E |
Start | 37°10′58″N 99°10′38″E |
End | 37°0′33″N 98°52′50″E |
Operation | |
Work begun | 2007 |
Opened | 28 December 2014 |
Traffic | train |
Technical | |
Length | 32,645 metres (107,103 ft) |
No. of tracks | two single |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
Electrified | electrified |
Operating speed | 160 km/h |
Highest elevation | 3,381 metres (11,093 ft) |
Lowest elevation | 3,324 metres (10,906 ft) |
China Railway First Survey and Design Institute is responsible for the design. The New Guanjiao Tunnel was designed for two parallel single-track tunnels with speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph). The total construction duration was projected to be 5 years. The tunnel was bored in difficult geological conditions and high altitude, exceeding 3,300 metres (10,800 ft) above sea level. The construction started in 2007 and was completed in April 2014.[2] The tunnel was opened on 28 December 2014.[3]
The tunnel's northeastern portal (37.1834°N 99.1778°E) is in Tianjun County, the southwestern portal (37.0094°N 98.8805°E) is in Ulan County.