Behold the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. This marvel connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan. It dramatically reduces travel time. What was once a two-hour drive is now a mere 30 minutes.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is more than just a bridge. It’s a bridge-tunnel system. It stretches 49.7 kilometers. It begins near Shenzhen’s Bao’an International Airport. This link crosses the Pearl River Delta.
Construction began in May 2017. It opened on June 30, 2024. The cost was approximately US$4.83 billion. This ambitious project aimed to improve connectivity in the Pearl River Delta.
Shenzhen initially sought inclusion in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge project. However, a separate link to Zhongshan was proposed in 2008. It became part of Guangdong’s 12th five-year plan.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link includes a 6.7 km tunnel and 19 bridges. The longest continuous bridge section spans about 22.5 km. About 15.5 km of this stretches above the sea. The link features four lanes in each direction. The maximum speed is 100 km/h.
Upon opening, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link faced initial congestion. Some travelers experienced delays and detours. Yet, it quickly became a vital transportation artery.
Within its first month, the link saw over 3 million vehicle crossings. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has achieved several world records.
It boasts the largest span for a fully offshore steel box girder suspension bridge at 1,666 meters. Its bridge deck reaches a height of 91 meters. It has the highest navigation clearance for a sea bridge. The offshore suspension bridge anchor is the largest at 344,000 cubic meters of concrete.
The bridge withstood a wind resistance test speed of 83.7 meters per second. Its steel bridge deck features the largest hot-mix epoxy asphalt paving spanning 378,800 square meters. The link also includes the longest two-way eight-lane immersed tube tunnel at 5,035 meters.
That tunnel is also the widest underwater steel shell-concrete immersed tube tunnel. It measures up to 55.6 meters. Each tube section saw the largest single-volume cast for a steel-shell immersed tube. This used self-compacting concrete.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is the world’s first underwater expressway interchange and airport interchange. The tunnel integrates advanced safety features. These include firefighting and smoke exhaust systems. A team of 14 robots patrols the tunnel. They monitor pipes, cables, and traffic incidents. Lights along the walls use color-coded systems. They guide people during emergencies.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is a testament to modern engineering. It showcases China’s capabilities in infrastructure development. It significantly improves connectivity in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Its impact on regional transportation and economic growth is undeniable. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link stands as a symbol of progress and innovation.