China’s largest-diameter boring machine reaches 6-mile tunnel mark

China’s largest-diameter shield tunneling machine, known as CRCC/X Linghang, has reached a significant milestone by completing over 6.2 miles (10,000 meters) of tunneling for the Chongming-Taizhou underwater tunnel beneath the Yangtze River. Equipped with the world’s largest cutting wheel at 15.4 meters in diameter, the 148-meter-long, 4,000-ton machine is the first of its size to achieve continuous tunneling beyond 10,000 meters in a single drive. This tunnel will enable high-speed trains to cross the river, significantly reducing travel times between major cities such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hefei. The Linghang machine features an advanced smart control system that allows autonomous operation through intelligent data analysis and machine learning, improving stability and efficiency compared to manual operation. It has set a world record by digging 718 meters in one month and supports unmanned intelligent tunneling throughout the system. The project also boasts several records