“Mega cross-sea link.” Does that sound like something out of a sci-fi movie? It’s not. It’s real. We are standing before the Dalang 3# Bridge.
The Dalang 3# Bridge is part of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. This link connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan. Both are major cities in the Pearl River Delta.
Think of the Pearl River Delta as China’s version of Silicon Valley. It is a hub of innovation and economic activity. The Dalang 3# Bridge plays a vital role in this area.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link includes bridges and tunnels. It even has artificial islands. The link starts near Shenzhen’s Bao’an International Airport.
This ambitious project cost about US$4.83 billion. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link opened on June 30, 2024. It is about 27 km from the Humen Bridge. It is also 32 km north of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
Shenzhen wanted to be part of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge project. But the government chose a different design. So, Shenzhen pursued its own link to Zhongshan. This idea was proposed in 2008.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link includes a 6.7 km tunnel. It also has 19 bridges. The longest bridge section stretches about 22.5 km. About 15.5 km of that is over the sea.
There are four lanes in each direction on the Dalang 3# Bridge. The maximum speed is 100 km/h. The bridge connects several expressways. These include the Guangshen Expressway and the Jihe Expressway. It also connects to the Zhongjiang Expressway. The Dalang 3# Bridge reduces travel time. It now takes less than 30 minutes to travel from Shenzhen to Zhongshan.
Before the bridge, the trip took two hours. Imagine the time saved.
In the first month after opening, over 3 million vehicles crossed the link. That’s a lot of traffic. Some drivers experienced congestion early on. Some even detoured using the Humen Bridge. The Dalang 3# Bridge is more than just concrete and steel. It is a symbol of progress. It is a testament to China’s ambition. It connects not just two cities. It connects the future.
As you stand here on the Dalang 3# Bridge, consider its impact. This bridge is reshaping the Pearl River Estuary’s road network. It significantly impacts the economic and social development. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will benefit. The area generated over 14 trillion yuan in economic output in 2023. China wants to develop this area into a world-class city cluster. It aims to be a global technology and innovation center. It will be a livable and business-friendly location. The Dalang 3# Bridge is a key piece of that vision.