China okays world’s longest undersea tunnel project

China has formally approved plans to construct the world’s longest tunnel, a mega infrastructure project that is expected to reduce a six-hour journey to just 40 minutes, according to international news agencies.

The project, known as the Bohai Strait Tunnel, will consist of two parallel tunnels designed to carry high-speed trains.

The tunnel will link two of China’s major industrial cities, Dalian and Yantai, significantly improving connectivity between the country’s northeastern and eastern regions.

Trains operating through the tunnel are expected to reach speeds of over 150 miles per hour, faster than Europe’s Eurostar services.

Project planners said the tunnel will have a total length of approximately 75 to 76 miles, with nearly 56 miles constructed beneath the seabed.

Once completed, the Bohai Strait Tunnel will surpass both the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France and Japan’s Seikan Tunnel in terms of undersea length, making it the longest underwater rail tunnel in the world.

Experts estimated that construction of the mega project could take 10 to 15 years to complete.

By comparison, the Channel Tunnel took around six years to build.

Chinese authorities said the tunnel will be equipped with state-of-the-art safety systems, including advanced ventilation, waterproofing, structural monitoring sensors, and multiple emergency exits.

Special safety measures are being planned as the region lies in a seismically active zone.

Experts believed the project would not only mark a major leap in China’s infrastructure development but would also boost regional economic activity, enhance trade, and strengthen integration between key industrial hubs.