Wedoany.com Report-Dec.27, China’s domestically developed shield tunnelling machine “Linghang” has advanced more than 10,000 metres in the Chongming-Taicang Yangtze River tunnel project. The milestone was reached on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, with approximately 1,000 metres remaining to reach the southern bank of the Yangtze River, according to reports from China Media Group (CMG) and other sources.

This achievement marks the first time globally that a shield machine with a 15-metre diameter has completed a single continuous drive exceeding 10,000 metres. The machine, equipped with the world’s largest cutter head measuring 15.4 metres in diameter, is constructing a key section of the Shanghai-Nanjing-Hefei high-speed railway.

The tunnel, part of the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu high-speed rail corridor, features a single-tube, double-track design. It spans a total length of 14.25 kilometres, with 13.2 kilometres to be bored by the shield machine. Once completed, the tunnel will allow high-speed trains to cross beneath the Yangtze River at a design speed of 350 kilometres per hour without speed reduction, setting a global record for the highest design speed in an underwater high-speed rail tunnel.

The project will significantly reduce travel times between major cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, including Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hefei. It supports improved connectivity and contributes to the coordinated development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The “Linghang” machine incorporates an advanced intelligent system described as the most sophisticated of its kind. This system features adaptive pressure control in the shield chamber, cloud-based predictive data analysis for independent decision-making, and autonomous control of tunnelling posture. These capabilities result in more stable tunnelling, slurry circulation, and machine posture compared to traditional manual methods.

The intelligent system enables fully algorithm-based unmanned operation, with personnel providing supervised monitoring. It draws on extensive historical data and machine-learning models to facilitate efficient and reliable performance.

Wang Yi, deputy equipment manager of the project, stated: “The machine incorporates an advanced tunnelling system, which enables autonomous operation through intelligent analysis and decision-making. Drawing from hundreds of historical datasets and machine-learning models, the system’s capabilities enable efficient manned supervision along with unmanned operation.”

The project has also established a world record for monthly advance rate in a 15-metre-class high-speed rail tunnel, achieving 718 metres in a single month.

Construction is progressing steadily, with the boring operation expected to conclude in late 2026. This major milestone demonstrates significant progress in large-diameter shield tunnelling technology for complex underwater environments.