Open to the outside world at last

Started in 2014 by the China Huaneng Group Co, it took them almost seven years to complete, with an estimated investment of more than 2 billion yuan ($310 million) poured into the project. Workers adopted the conventional drilling and blasting method, but the complicated geological and hydrographic conditions made the project much more difficult than those in flat areas. Far away from home, workers took root in the plateau. And they have spared no effort in overcoming many hurdles and pushing forward the construction.

As the last controlling node of the entire project, the Laohuzui Tunnel marks a new breakthrough in the region. The completion of the tunnel, 228 days ahead of the original schedule, heralds the full connection of the Paimo Highway.