The 22.1 km tunnel currently under construction in Xinjiang will traverse the Tianshan mountain range, significantly reducing travel time between the two most populous cities in the region.
China is constructing the world’s longest expressway tunnel, a project that crosses one of the longest mountain ranges on the planet, opening up numerous trade routes between the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Central Asia, CGTN reported on December 1.
The Tianshan Victory Expressway Tunnel is under construction. (Photo: Weibo).
As a crucial part of the Olo Moti – Uli Expressway, the Tianshan Victory Tunnel will serve as a vital transportation link between the northern and southern halves of the region. Upon its completion in late October 2025, the project will reduce the travel time through the Tianshan mountain range by approximately 20 minutes, shortening the journey from the capital Olo Moti to Korla, the two most populous cities in the area, from over 7 hours to about 3 hours.
Once completed, the tunnel will stretch a total of 22.1 km, making it the longest expressway tunnel currently under construction. The completion of this project is expected to significantly benefit economic and trade growth in the underdeveloped region of Xinjiang, according to economist Xu Tianchen. Xinjiang is set to become an increasingly important leverage point, serving as both a final market and a transit hub, with multiple infrastructure development projects underway aimed at enhancing connectivity, including the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
China is making efforts to leverage Xinjiang’s unique geographical advantages, including its shared borders with eight countries, such as Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, positioning it at the center of the Belt and Road Initiative. Improving the transportation network will help bolster Xinjiang’s infrastructure connectivity with Central Asia, according to Peng Peng, executive chairman of the Guangdong Reform Association.
Earlier this month, Xinjiang also announced plans for a free trade center. The pilot program will be implemented in three locations: Keshik, Horgos, and Olo Moti, potentially lasting for five years before Xinjiang officially becomes a free trade zone.
