On September 4, the asphalt paving of Tunnel No. 5 at Baghdad’s central Nisour Interchange was completed, marking the successful breakthrough of the most crucial section in the city’s expressway system. With this milestone, the main structure of the interchange has now been fully completed.
The Nisour Interchange is a flagship project under Iraq’s national transportation upgrade plan. It was contracted by China Railway International, with China Railway Sixth Group undertaking the construction of three new tunnels and the reconstruction of two existing ones. The interchange consists of two overpasses and five tunnels, with Tunnel No. 5 serving as the most challenging control project due to its dense road crossings, complex underground pipelines, and difficult geological conditions.
To ensure engineering safety and quality, the project team introduced ground-penetrating radar and distributed sensing technology, deploying the intelligent monitoring system to track geological changes in real time. To address high groundwater levels, engineers adopted a combination of “deep well dewatering, curtain grouting, and water collection wells,” supported by an IoT-based smart deep-well network that allowed real-time water level adjustment and ensured stable operations.
The project brought together engineers and workers from Iraq, China, and other countries. To standardize construction practices and improve efficiency, the management team launched skill training programs that combined technical instruction, work briefings, and practical exercises. In response to Iraq’s extreme summer heat, staggered work shifts were implemented, with on-site cooling stations, medical points, and refreshment trucks provided for worker safety.
Once operational, this modern interchange will connect Baghdad’s industrial zone with its central business district, improving regional traffic efficiency by an estimated 40 percent. The project is expected to ease commuting, enhance logistics capacity, and inject strong momentum into the city’s economic development.
