Saturday 20th January 2007

Zhongnanshan Tunnel, or Qinling Zhongnanshan Tunnel, the longest two-tube road tunnel in the world, which forms part of the Xi’an-Ankang Highway between the Changan and Zhashui counties in China, opened to traffic. The 18,040-metre (11.21 mi) long tunnel, which crosses under the Zhongnan Mountain (Zhongnanshan) has a maximum embedded depth of 1640 metres below surface level. The tunnel is equipped with lights that show different colours and patterns to make drivers feel more alert. Each tunnel is decorated with artificial plants as well as images of clouds projected over the ceiling at certain sections in order to reduce the eye strain of drivers. The cost to build this tunnel was CNY3.2 billion or USD410 million.