Recently, the first tunnel boring machine (TBM), named "Xinhe No. 13," successfully commenced operations on the section between Jinglong Station and Longhua Station of Phase I of Shenzhen Metro Line 25. This marks the official entry into a new phase of shield construction for the line, signaling that the entire project has entered a critical stage of construction.

Phase I of Line 25 runs from Shilong Station in Bao'an District to Jihua Hospital Station in Longgang District. The 16.5-kilometer route features 14 stations and is entirely underground. The section between Jinglong Station and Longhua Station traverses the Longhua commercial center, passes beneath Longhua Renmin Road, and runs alongside existing Line 4 bridge piers, presenting complex construction terrain. To ensure safe shield tunneling, the Line 25 construction team collaborated with Lanzhou University to pioneer the application of natural cosmic ray muon imaging technology for advance geological forecasting in shield tunneling.

This technology utilizes cosmic ray muons as "probes." By deploying detectors around the shield machine, it captures changes in muon direction and flux as they pass through different geological strata. After algorithmic analysis, it generates three-dimensional imaging of the forward geological structure, providing scientific support for construction risk prevention and strategy formulation. This also represents an innovative attempt to empower urban rail construction with Shenzhen's technological capabilities.

Metro Line 25 is a key project in Shenzhen Metro's Phase V plan. Its first section traverses Dawang, Longhua Center, and Bantian districts. As a general-purpose rail line serving Longgang, Longhua, and Bao'an, its completion will effectively alleviate commuting pressure between Longhua Central District and surrounding areas. It will enhance connectivity with the city's spatial structure and support services for the metropolitan core, bolster development in key zones like the Banxuegang Science and Technology City, expand rail coverage in previously underserved areas outside the former border checkpoint, and facilitate external transportation links for Shiyan, Dalang, Longhua Central, and other locations. (Source: Shenzhen Special Zone Daily)