The Zhuhai Transport Bureau is soliciting public opinion on plans to build a tunnel under Haibin Park, leaving the hairpin curve on the peninsular restricted to pedestrians and slow traffic.

The entire Lovers Avenue Lingjiaozui Tunnel project covers .5 sq km (123.5 acres) between Haibin Road and the sea from City Balcony (Qiaoyuan Hotel former site) south to Haibin Beach (City Parlor).

City Balcony, a new landmark viewing complex across from the gate of Shijing Mt Park, overlooks core tourist attractions Xianglu Bay and Beach, Yeli Island and Zhuhai Opera House to the north, and the Fisher Maiden statue and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to the southeast.

Lovers Avenue, Jida with Haibin Park at lower right 

Lovers Avenue and Haibin Road, however, are often choked by heavy traffic, especially on holidays and weekends.

The two-way, two-lane tunnel with designed speed of 40 kmph (25 mph) would be used for daily commutes and to distribute vehicle flow on weekends and holidays. For instance, city buses would be scheduled to travel along the coast while heading north and would otherwise use the tunnel. Lovers Avenue along the coast will be mainly for pedestrians, cyclists, and slow tourist buses.

Computer graphic of tunnel under Haibin Park [Photos by Li Jianshu / Zhuhai Daily]