Beneath our feet lies an incredible feat of engineering. It’s the Jilong Bridge. This bridge is part of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. This link connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan. These are two major cities in the Pearl River Delta.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is a bridge-tunnel system. It significantly cuts travel time. Now, it only takes less than 30 minutes to travel from Shenzhen to Zhongshan.
Imagine the bustling activity during its construction. Construction on the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link started in May 2017. It opened to traffic on June 30, 2024. It cost around US$4.83 billion. That’s a testament to modern engineering.
The entire link stretches 49.7 kilometers. It features eight lanes. It includes a 6.7 km tunnel on the Shenzhen side. There are 19 bridges totaling 43 km. About 15.5 km of the bridge stretches above the sea.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge has a significant impact. It optimizes traffic in the Pearl River Delta. It improves connectivity between major cities. These cities include Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai.
Consider the Lingdingyang Bridge. It has a main span of 1,666 meters. Its main towers reach 270 meters. That’s like a 90-story building. The bridge also has a navigation clearance height of 76.5 meters.
The undersea tunnel is another marvel. It is about 6.8 kilometers long. It includes 5 kilometers of immersed pipeline. It uses 32 pipe joints. It is the world’s longest and widest undersea steel-tube-shell immersed tunnel.
Think about the challenges faced during construction. The team overcame challenges. They included manufacturing steel shells. They managed ultra-long-distance floating installation. They achieved millimeter-level installation accuracy. This was under deep-water conditions.
Hempel provided coatings for the bridge. These coatings ensure durability. They provide corrosion protection. They meet sustainability targets.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge has set several world records. It has the largest span for an offshore suspension bridge. It also has the highest navigation clearance. It features the largest anchorage volume in the sea. It also boasts the highest tensile strength for main cables.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge opened on June 30, 2024. In its first month, it saw over 3 million vehicle crossings. However, it faced initial congestion. Some users experienced long waits.
The Jilong Bridge and the entire Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link stand as symbols of progress. They represent connectivity. They embody human ingenuity. They contribute significantly to the Greater Bay Area. This is a vital transportation network. It supports economic development. It improves people’s lives.