China Opens World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel – Tianshan Shengli Tunnel

China inaugurated the 22.13 km Tianshan Shengli Tunnel in Xinjiang, the world’s longest expressway tunnel. Part of the G0711 Urumqi Yuli Expressway, it cuts travel time across the Tianshan Mountains from seven hours to about 20 minutes, boosting regional connectivity, trade, and tourism. Built using advanced hard rock TBM technology, the tunnel strengthens economic integration, improves logistics for energy and agriculture, and enhances access to northern and southern Xinjiang, supporting sustainable development and faster movement of people and goods.