“Ten world records!” Can you believe one bridge can achieve so much? The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is not just a bridge. It is a testament to China’s engineering prowess.
This marvel reduces travel time between Shenzhen and Zhongshan. What was once a two-hour drive is now a mere 30-minute journey. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link opened in June 2024. It quickly became a vital artery in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is a 24-kilometer cross-sea passage. It integrates a bridge, an island, a tunnel, and even an underwater interchange. This makes it one of the most complex construction projects ever undertaken. It is more than just a link between two cities. It is a symbol of innovation.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link boasts ten world records. These aren’t just any records. They are specific achievements that highlight the project’s unique design and construction.
Firstly, it has the largest span for a fully offshore steel box girder suspension bridge. That span measures an incredible 1,666 meters. Secondly, the bridge deck reaches a height of 91 meters. This provides the highest navigation clearance for a sea bridge. Thirdly, the offshore suspension bridge anchor is the largest of its kind. It contains 344000 cubic meters of concrete.
The bridge can withstand extreme weather conditions. It has the highest wind resistance test speed for a suspension bridge. That speed is 83.7 meters per second. Furthermore, the steel bridge deck features the largest hot-mix epoxy asphalt paving. It covers an area of 378800 square meters.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link also features the longest two-way, eight-lane immersed tube tunnel. This tunnel stretches for 5035 meters. The underwater steel shell-concrete immersed tube tunnel is the widest. It measures up to 55.6 meters.
The project involved the largest single-volume cast for a steel-shell immersed tube. This used self-compacting concrete. That volume was 29000 cubic meters per tube section. Finally, the widest repeatedly foldable M-shaped water stop was used. It measures 3 meters wide. It is used in the final joint of the immersed tube tunnel. It also has the world’s first underwater expressway interchange and airport interchange.
PCK Group played a vital role in the construction. They supplied high-quality steel pipes for the project. These pipes have high anti-corrosion and precision standards. They are designed to last for 100 years.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is more than just a bridge and tunnel. It is a new engine for development in the Greater Bay Area. It is a testament to human ingenuity.