On September 21, the 'China Railway No. 797', a super large diameter (13.46m) mud-water balance shield machine which was independently developed by CRHIC subsidiary company China Railway Equipment, broke out the hole, marking the successful completion of the boring task of road tunnel project under the Świna River in Poland, during which an excellent work of daily progress of 18 meters and monthly progress of 338 meters were delivered.
The project attracted widespread attention from Polish society and on the occasion of the tunnel opening, H.E. Mr. Andrzej Duda, the President of the Republic of Poland, visited the site and boarded the shield machine to witness the final ring of tubes being bored and assembled. He said, 'The completion of this tunnel is epoch-making significance (for Poland).' Mr. Janusz Żmurkiewicz, Mayor of Świętokrzyskie, and Ms. Barbara Michalska, the Deputy Mayor were at the receiving wellhead in person to watch the moment the shield machine broke out and praised the boring safety and efficiency of the shield machine.
The tunnel is located in north-western Poland between the islands of Uznam and Wolin in the city of Świno Uišice with 1,483 metre in length which is the longest underwater road tunnel in the Republic of Poland. The completion of the tunnel will rewrite the history of local commuting by ferry for hundred years, the commuting time across the river will be reduced from 40 minutes to 4 minutes, bringing great convenience to the local residents and greatly contributing to the economic development of both sides of the Świna River.