The right line of a key shield tunnel section of Hefei Metro Line 8 was successfully connected on November 11, laying a solid foundation for the planned operation of this north-south transport corridor in Hefei, the provincial capital of Anhui.
The right line of the shield tunnel section between Jinmei Road Station to Meichong Road Station at the second working zone of Hefei Metro Line 8, built by the Urban Rail Transit Engineering Branch Co., Ltd of China Railway No.4 Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (CREC4), is 1,629.84 meters long and is laid from north to south along the Mengcheng North Road.
With a V-shaped slope for the right line and the tunnel being buried at a depth ranging between 10.96 meters and 21.57 meters, the tunnel section starts enters Jinmei Road Station after passing the Jingui Road Pedestrian Overpass.
With an upper soft strata and a lower hard strata, the shield section also faces a number of engineering difficulties and safety risks to tackle: excavation for a long distance on the medium-weathered sandy layer, and closer proximity with rainwater and sewage pipelines. But the CREC4 staffers followed scientific and technological arrangements to finish the task successfully.
It has been learned that running from the northern part of Hefei to the city proper, Hefei Metro Line 8 will serve a key north-south transport artery, providing quick access for city dwellers in the north to move around within the city upon completion.
Earlier, the right line of the longest shield tunnel section on Hefei Metro Line 8 was successfully connected on September 5. The longest shield tunnel section between Hetang Road Station to Jinning Road Station of the first phase of Hefei Metro Line 8, built by CREC4 Fourth Engineering, is located in Changfeng County. The left line of the section is 2,131.5 meters long while the right line is 2,128.6 meters long.