To optimize the layout of urban underground pipelines in Jiangxi Province, scientifically and rationally develop and utilize underground space resources, guide the planning, design, construction, acceptance, operation and maintenance management of urban utility tunnels, improve the scientific nature of underground utility tunnel construction, avoid blind and disorderly construction, promote the application of new technologies, and advance technological progress and intelligent network operation management in the underground pipeline industry, the Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued the "Jiangxi Province Urban Underground Utility Tunnel Construction Guidelines (Trial)" on December 15.

　　The Guidelines require that utility tunnel engineering construction should follow the principles of "planning first, moderately advanced, adapting to local conditions, and overall coordination" to give full play to the comprehensive benefits of utility tunnels. In addition to complying with these Guidelines, the planning, design, construction, acceptance, operation and maintenance management of utility tunnels should also comply with the provisions of current relevant national codes and standards.

　　The Guidelines apply to the planning, design, construction, acceptance, operation and maintenance management activities of newly built, expanded and reconstructed urban utility tunnel projects within the scope of Jiangxi Province.

　　The Guidelines specify that a utility tunnel, also known as a common duct, utility culvert or common conduit, refers to a structure and its ancillary facilities built underground as a shared tunnel space to accommodate two or more types of urban engineering pipelines. Depending on the pipelines they accommodate, utility tunnels differ in nature and structure and can be broadly divided into three types: trunk utility tunnels, branch utility tunnels and cable tunnels. The pipelines accommodated in urban utility tunnels should include public facility pipelines such as electric power, cable television, communication cables, traffic signals, gas, water supply, drainage, reclaimed water and heating. It is strictly prohibited to lay gas pipelines in the same compartment as other municipal pipelines.

　　The Guidelines determine that utility tunnel engineering planning should be prepared based on the city master plan, comprehensive underground pipeline plan and regulatory detailed plan, and should be coordinated with underground space planning and road planning. The preparation of utility tunnel engineering planning should aim to coordinate underground pipeline construction, improve engineering construction benefits, conserve and utilize underground space, prevent repeated road excavation, and enhance the disaster prevention capacity of underground pipelines, following the principles of government organization, departmental cooperation, scientific decision-making, adaptation to local conditions and moderate advancement. Utility tunnel engineering planning is organized by the municipal people's government and prepared by relevant departments to guide and implement utility tunnel engineering construction. During preparation, opinions should be solicited from competent administrative departments and relevant units in roads, rail transit, water supply, drainage, electric power, communications, broadcasting and television, gas and heating, as well as the public. Utility tunnel engineering planning should take into account both new urban areas and old urban areas. Planning for utility tunnels in new areas should be prepared simultaneously with new area planning, while planning for utility tunnels in old urban areas should be prepared in conjunction with old city renovation, shantytown renovation, road renovation, river channel renovation, pipeline renovation, rail transit construction, civil air defense construction and underground complex construction. In principle, utility tunnel engineering planning should be revised every five years, or adjusted promptly in accordance with modifications to urban planning and important underground pipeline planning.

　　The Guidelines also set clear provisions on the engineering design, construction and acceptance, maintenance and operation management of urban utility tunnels.