Wazilao Tunnel, the initial tunnel section of the Zhuhai-Zhaoqing High-speed Railway, was drilled through on Jan 5.

Located in Doumen's Baijiao Town, the 393.96-m (430.84-yd) tunnel is now fully connected and two railway lanes have been laid. Due to the weathered sandstone that may cause cave-ins during construction, the tunnel had to be carefully excavated using a three-step method with heavy machinery.

Further excavation work will take place so that construction teams can move forward with the second lining of the tunnel. Construction of the open-cut tunnel and its entrance is estimated to be completed in May.

Wazilao Tunnel in the initial section of the Zhuhai-Zhaoqing High-speed Railway [Photo by Li Jianshu / Guanhai App]

In addition, the Xiaotuo Grand Bridge, also part of the initial Zhuhai-Jiangmen section of the high-speed Railway, has finished pile cap structure works. Its pier pouring is set to finish ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival on Jan 22.

The Zhuhai-Zhaoqing High-speed Railway, starting from Zhuhai's Hezhou area and ending in Zhaoqing via Jiangmen and Foshan, will mainly focus on long-distance travel while also serving intercity passengers in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

With a designed speed limit of 350 km/h (217 mph), the railway will provide convenient service for areas on the east and west banks of the Pearl River Estuary to reach southwest Guangdong Province.

In recent years, Zhuhai has been accelerating the development of rail transportation. The city's railway network is expected to reach 117.8 km (73.2 miles) by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).