The Pinglu Canal, a century-spanning project, will mark three years since its official commencement in August this year, with the grand vision of a river-to-sea canal now taking shape. A spokesperson from the Pinglu Canal Group stated on the 8th that over 80% of the total construction work has been completed, and the target of completing the project on schedule by 2026 remains achievable.
The Pinglu Canal begins at Pingtang Jiangkou in the Xijin Reservoir area of Hengzhou City, Nanning, Guangxi, and runs through Qinjiang River in Qinzhou City to reach the Beibu Gulf. Stretching 134.2 kilometers with an estimated investment of approximately 72.7 billion yuan, construction began in August 2022 and is slated for completion in 2026.
July 8: Construction site of the Madao Hub on the Pinglu Canal. Photo by Zhai Liqiang
At the Madao Hub, the first tier of the Pinglu Canal, the sheer scale of the project is awe-inspiring. A former hill has been transformed into a north-south canal lock. According to reports, the Madao Hub is currently undergoing construction of the lock’s main structure, spillway gates, Madao Hub Bridge, upstream and downstream approach channel concrete pouring, metal structure installation, and soil conservation work. Once completed, it will become the world’s largest inland water-saving lock, featuring a dual-lane design with an effective length of 300 meters, width of 34 meters, and water depth of 8 meters, capable of handling a maximum operating head of 29.6 meters.
As of July 6, the Madao Hub has excavated 39.8 million cubic meters of earth and rock, achieving 99.4% of the target. The main lock structure has seen 2.19 million cubic meters of concrete poured out of a total design volume of 2.59 million cubic meters.
The Qingnian Hub, the lowest tier of the three-tier Pinglu Canal system, is currently the largest water-saving lock in China with mutual irrigation and drainage functions. Construction is underway on the lock’s main structure, anchor rods, curtain grouting, consolidation grouting, track beams, upstream and downstream approach channels, slope protection, and upstream and downstream aprons. As of July 6, the Qingnian Hub has completed 26.46 million cubic meters of earth and rock excavation (96.8% of the total design volume) and poured 678,000 cubic meters of concrete for the main lock structure (89.2% of the design volume).
Cheng Yaofei, Party Secretary, Chairman of Guangxi Pinglu Canal Construction Co., Ltd., and Commander of the Pinglu Canal Construction Command, stated in an interview with media on the 8th that nearly three years into the project, over 80% of the total construction work has been completed. The cumulative investment has reached 56.25 billion yuan, with 287 million cubic meters of earth and rock excavated (91% of the total). The three main locks have seen 4.993 million cubic meters of concrete poured (85.4% of the design volume).
July 8: Construction site of the Madao Hub on the Pinglu Canal. Photo by Zhai Liqiang
The Pinglu Canal is a backbone project of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor and a landmark initiative in accelerating China’s development as a transportation powerhouse. Since construction began, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Department of Transport, in collaboration with the Discipline Inspection Commission, the Department of Ecology and Environment, and the Pinglu Canal Group, has been committed to building a high-quality, green, and corruption-free project, setting new benchmarks in major infrastructure construction with advanced concepts and management models.
Li Mingjing, General Manager of Guangxi Pinglu Canal Construction Co., Ltd., noted that the project adheres to first-class technical standards, construction quality, schedule control, and on-site management to ensure excellence. Based on current progress, the goal of completing the project on schedule is well within reach.
“In terms of building a green project, we have developed a detailed plan centered on ‘four optimizations’ to create a model of harmony between engineering and nature,” Cheng Yaofei explained. “First, optimal ecological protection: For the first time in China, 36 ecological conservation zones have been designated along straightened river sections, with a dedicated fish passage at the Qingnian Hub to facilitate the migration of species like perch and eel, and animal crossings at the Madao Hub for creatures such as leopard cats. Second, optimal soil erosion control: Canal slopes are constructed with ‘one-level excavation, one-level protection, one-level greening,’ and underwater slopes are covered with geotextiles to prevent erosion. Third, optimal resource efficiency: Design optimizations reduced land use by 60.3 hectares and mangrove occupation by 3.1 hectares, with excavated materials repurposed across seven applications. Fourth, optimal green and low-carbon development: The canal is being built as a ‘zero-solid-waste,’ ‘near-zero-carbon’ project with a clean energy corridor.”
To ensure integrity, the Guangxi Discipline Inspection Commission has designated Pinglu Canal supervision as its top political oversight task, deploying on-site teams to monitor key personnel and processes around the clock.
Upon completion, the Pinglu Canal will accelerate the transformation of resource advantages along the New Western Land-Sea Corridor into economic growth, fostering cross-border and regional industrial and supply chains linking ASEAN, the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone, the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Cheng Yaofei added that in the second half of this year, the focus will be on completing annual investment targets, finishing all earth and rock excavation, and completing concrete pouring for the main lock structures. By year-end, 19 bridges are expected to be operational for navigation and traffic. (End)
