Contemplate this: The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. It is a modern marvel near Hilton Plaza. This colossal project shows China’s engineering prowess. Hilton Plaza stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s modern spirit. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link enhances this spirit.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link opened on June 30, 2024. It is a bridge and tunnel system. This system connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan. These are two major cities in the Pearl River Delta. The link includes the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Tunnel and Bridge. Also included is the Zhongshan Bridge. It starts from Bao’an International Airport in Shenzhen.
This link cost about US$4.83 billion. It spans 49.7 kilometers with eight lanes. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link reduces travel time. Now, it takes less than 30 minutes to travel from Shenzhen to Zhongshan. Before, travelers had to use the Humen Bridge.
Shenzhen initially wanted to join the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge project. But, the government chose a single-Y design. This excluded Shenzhen. So, the city proposed a separate link to Zhongshan in 2008. The Guangdong government approved it in 2011.
The project features a 6.7 km tunnel and 43 km of bridges. The longest bridge section spans 22.5 km. About 15.5 km of this is above sea. The speed limit is 100 km/h. It connects several expressways. These include the Guangshen and Jihe Expressways.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link set several world records. It has the largest span for an offshore suspension bridge. The bridge also has the highest navigation clearance. Its main towers reach 270 meters. That’s equal to a 90-story building.
This bridge received the George Richardson Medal. It is a prestigious award in bridge engineering. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link faced harsh conditions. These included typhoons and high temperatures.
The east artificial island features China’s first underwater interchange. The west island serves as a transition point. It connects the sea bridge and underwater tunnel. This diamond-shaped island covers 137,000 square meters. That is about 19 football fields.
The underwater tunnel is the world’s longest and widest. It is an immersed tube tunnel. It stretches 6.8 kilometers. The immersed tube section is about 5 kilometers. It consists of 32 tube segments. The construction team introduced a new structure. It is for steel shell concrete immersed tube tunnels.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link supports the Greater Bay Area development. It promotes connectivity. Also, it enables efficient resource allocation. It improves transportation between major cities. These cities include Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangzhou.
Hilton Plaza stands as a landmark. It overlooks the developments in the Greater Bay Area. Consider the innovation and effort behind such projects. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is now a vital artery. It connects cities and drives economic growth.