On April 1, the Kurla to Buluntai section of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, constructed by the Xiamen Branch of CCCC Third Harbor Engineering Co.,Ltd. , officially opened to traffic. This marks a closer connection among Hejing County, Yanqi Hui Autonomous County, Korla City, and Yuli County—collectively known as the "Three Counties and One City"—significantly improving regional transportation efficiency and injecting robust momentum into coordinated development.

This 143-kilometer "treasure road" not only accelerates transportation in Xinjiang but also weaves through snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, wetlands, and other pristine landscapes, earning its reputation as a dreamlike "scenic corridor" along the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains. As the "throat" project of the entire expressway, the 14.5-kilometer Section 9 undertaken by the Xiamen Branch of CCCC Third Harbor Engineering Co.,Ltd. traverses the heart of the Tianshan Mountains, crossing deep valleys, rivers, and deserts. After four years of relentless efforts, the project team has erected a "steel link" over the Tianshan ridge, turning the once-impassable route from Urumqi to Yuli into a reality.

Breakthroughs: Overcoming "Three Major Challenges" in the Tianshan Mountains and Setting Five Construction Records

Section 9 of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway features a bridge-tunnel ratio of 61.5%, with five crossings of the Ulustai River, five intersections with National Highway 216, and two crossings over the Southern Xinjiang Railway. The construction involved 12 bridges, 1 tunnel, 10 culverts, and 13 road sections, making it one of the most geologically complex and technically demanding segments of the entire expressway.

To mitigate the impact of snowmelt floods on bridge foundations and roadbed construction, the project team optimized construction plans and prioritized resources for river-crossing structures. By concentrating efforts to complete critical components before flood seasons, they ensured the overall timeline remained intact.

Faced with an accelerated schedule, the team expanded existing beam prefabrication facilities, added a new prefabrication yard, and deployed an additional bridge girder erection machine. This boosted monthly beam production and installation capacity from 150 to 240 segments. Over 450 days, the team safely and efficiently completed all beam prefabrication and installation tasks, setting records such as 11 beams prefabricated and 14 installed in a single day, and 259 prefabricated and 245 installed in a month.

For tunnel construction, the team pioneered a "short-step rapid construction method" tailored to the Tianshan Mountains, enabling simultaneous excavation, blasting, debris removal, and initial support. Advanced equipment, including intelligent lining trolleys, wet-spraying robotic arms, and automated steel processing machines, established a fully mechanized workflow, drastically accelerating progress.

Section 9 became the first to complete bridge foundations and substructures, delivered the first double-tube tunnel in southern Xinjiang, achieved the earliest single-lane and dual-lane connectivity in its segment, and set multiple milestones, cementing the Xiamen Branch of CCCC Third Harbor Engineering Co.,Ltd. ’s reputation for excellence in Xinjiang.

Quality: Unlocking Excellence Through Innovation

As a national "13th Five-Year Plan" key project and a pioneer in China’s "Century-Long Quality Engineering" initiative, the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway is a critical component of Xinjiang’s "Six Horizontal and Six Vertical" transportation network. The project team adhered to a "zero-defect" quality management philosophy, implementing standardized construction and precision management while leveraging cutting-edge technologies and micro-innovations to ensure both structural integrity and aesthetic excellence.

To address challenges posed by extreme temperature fluctuations, sandstorms, and sudden winds during beam prefabrication, the team innovated with mobile steel molds, transforming fixed production lines into movable ones. This approach safeguarded beam quality against environmental disruptions.

Throughout construction, the team secured multiple accolades, including a patented "real-time monitoring device for tunnel vault voids" and a utility model patent for "mobile steel molds for precast box girders." Their QC achievements, such as "Improving Pile Construction Efficiency in Water-Rich Gravel Layers" and "Enhancing Tunnel Secondary Lining Quality," earned awards at municipal and national levels.

The opening of the Kurla-Buluntai section not only accelerates the full completion of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway but also holds profound significance for regional economic growth, transportation optimization, tourism development, and ethnic unity in Xinjiang. （Content provided by Chen Hualu）