Recently, after 14 hours of continuous operation, E3 tube section of the Dalian Bay Subsea Tunnel Project achieved precise mating with E2 tube section, setting a new domestic record for the shortest time taken for floating transport and installation of an immersed tube in a cross-sea tunnel.

The Dalian Bay Subsea Tunnel has a total length of 5.1 km and consists of 18 immersed tube sections. E3 is the second standard tube section, measuring 180 m long, 33.4 m wide and 9.7 m high, weighing about 60,000 t, and being immersed to a water depth of nearly 30 m. Because E3 is placed in a deep foundation trench with steep side slopes, it is susceptible to cable scraping, carries a high risk of damaging the foundation bed, and involves extensive cross-operation among various procedures. According to plan, after the installation of E3 is completed, the project team will carry out preparatory work for the installation of subsequent tube sections.