Editor's Note
As Qu Yuan wrote in his poem: “The road ahead is long and winding; yet I shall search high and low!” As Li Bai penned in his poem: “The Shu Road is so difficult—harder even than ascending to the blue sky!” And as Xunzi said: “The path may be obstructed and long, but if you keep walking, you’ll eventually reach your destination!” Over the past 64 years, under the leadership of the great Communist Party of China, surveyors and designers have taken mountains as their companions and roads as their homes. With meticulous care and tireless effort, they’ve carefully laid out one grand avenue after another, forging a new chapter in mountain-road surveying and design.
Today we’re launching “[Achieving Merits in a New Era] "Embarking on a New Journey"—A Detailed Look at Kanshe’s Road Projects (Part 3)—The Zhen’an to Xishui Section of the Dejiang to Xishui Expressway in Guizhou Province.
The Zhen'an to Xishui section of the Dejiang to Xishui Expressway in Guizhou Province
Project Overview
The Zhen’an to Xishui section of the Dejiang to Xishui Expressway in Guizhou Province has a total length of 130 kilometers and a total investment of 17.8 billion yuan. The project was completed and opened to traffic in July 2021. Located in the mountainous region of northern Guizhou, the route traverses a landscape characterized by high mountains and deep valleys. Along its path lie several nature reserves and scenic areas, earning it the reputation of being the most spectacular expressway in northern Guizhou.
Zhengxi Expressway, Muguang Section
Kanshe Shares was responsible for the design of the 72-kilometer ZXSJ-1 contract section of the Zhengxi Expressway. The design adhered to the principles of environmental protection, harmonious integration, and low-carbon development, fully and comprehensively implementing green development throughout the entire process and covering all aspects. As a result, the project achieved numerous breakthroughs and innovations.
Technical Features
(1) Practice low-carbon principles and maximize comprehensive ecological benefits.
The Zhengxi Expressway runs through an area rich in ecological resources, passing by three nature reserves, two provincial-level scenic spots, one national forest park, one national geological park, and one aquatic cultivation resource protection zone—making environmental coordination extremely challenging.
We adhere to the five development concepts—innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and shared benefits—and employ refined design approaches. During the route-selection phase, to minimize ecological and environmental impacts, we first thoroughly investigate the geological features, topography, and environmentally sensitive areas along the corridor before finalizing the route alignment. In conjunction with horizontal, vertical, and planar design, we adopt a variety of measures to avoid these sensitive areas. The entire line includes 14 overpasses and 45 culverts, ensuring that wildlife migration and reproduction remain unaffected by the project. Along sections near scenic spots and nature reserves, we have developed specialized conservation plans to protect the ecological environment to the greatest extent possible.
To minimize the environmental impact of waste disposal, the design incorporates comprehensive earthwork management, fully utilizing the hard, medium-to-thick-layer limestone and dolomite waste for processing into sand and gravel aggregates—amounting to as much as 3 million cubic meters. Additionally, 110,000 cubic meters of topsoil have been recycled and reused, effectively reclaiming 72 acres of land. The former waste disposal site has been transformed into a park, and the tunnel design features an intelligent lighting system that, compared to conventional technologies, can save up to 6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Zhengxi Expressway Fuxing Section
(2) Application of Key Technologies for Extra-long Tunnels in Complex Geological Conditions
The Zhengxi Expressway features numerous tunnels that encounter geological challenges such as faults, karst formations, coal and gas outbursts, high geostress, high ground temperature, and water inrushes accompanied by mud surges. Among these, the Taoyaya Tunnel stands out as the most typical example. With a total length of 5,082 meters and a maximum burial depth of 978 meters, this tunnel is an exceptionally long, deeply buried highway tunnel that integrates a wide array of adverse geological conditions. Its complex and ever-changing geology makes it an extremely rare case in tunnel engineering, earning it the nickname “Geological Museum of Tunnels.” To address these challenges, we have introduced a comprehensive suite of geophysical exploration techniques, including distributed high-density electrical resistivity tomography, electromagnetic wave CT, resistivity CT, and intelligent borehole television imaging. Additionally, we have employed cutting-edge technologies such as UAV oblique photography, geotechnical numerical simulations, and the innovative combination of “high-density deep drilling + hydraulic fracturing + hydraulic slotting + high-negative-pressure drainage.” As a result, we have successfully completed the investigation and design of the Taoyaya Tunnel to the highest quality and standards.
Zhengxi Expressway Dongwan Tunnel, Zheng'an Section
Meaning and Effectiveness
As an important lateral expressway in northern Guizhou, the Zhengxi Expressway serves as a vital economic corridor that facilitates the integration of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone with the Northern Guizhou Economic Collaboration Zone. It has connected Zheng’an, Tongzi, and Xishui via expressway, reducing the travel time from Zheng’an to Xishui from the original 10 hours to just 1.5 hours. This has laid a crucial foundation for the economic development of the northern Guizhou region and for boosting rural revitalization.
After the completion and opening to traffic of the Zhengxi Expressway, it has won numerous international awards, including the “2021 NCE Tunnel Engineering Award” from the Institution of Civil Engineers in the UK and the 2022 Global Road Achievement Award (GRAA) from the International Road Federation (IRF Global)—the only global award in the category of environmental protection.
Zhengxi Expressway, Yangdeng Town Section
--Kan She Co., Ltd.--
Planning: Technical Quality Department
Contributed by: Third Survey and Design Institute, Transportation Business Division
Editor: Zhao Jing
First instance: Shao Dan
Second Instance: Yan Xia
Final Review: Wu Dahong
