The Wangjiang Tunnel, which crosses the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, starts trial operations on Dec 16. [Photo/hangzhou.zjol.com] 

Residents of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province now have a 12th option for crossing the Qiantang River, as the Wangjiang Tunnel began operating on Dec 16.

The 3.6-kilometer tunnel lies between the Qianjiang No 3 Bridge and Qianjiang No 4 Bridge. It is a two-way tunnel with four lanes.

According to local authorities, seven more bridges and tunnels will be built across the river before the 19th Asian Games kick off in the city in 2022.

Among these new crossings, the Bo’ao Tunnel will be the most important for the games. It will connect Qianjiang New Town with the Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center and will take only three minutes to drive across.