Surely this sleek span of steel and concrete is a testament to human ingenuity. Welcome to Junjing Bridge. It is not just a crossing. It is a symbol of progress. It embodies the spirit of Shenzhen.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is a mega project. It connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan. This reduces travel time significantly. What once took two hours now takes only 30 minutes. This is due to innovations in engineering and construction.
Junjing Bridge stands as part of this colossal link. It includes an underwater tunnel and artificial islands. The entire passage stretches 24 kilometers. Chinese designers overcame immense technical challenges. They set ten world records in the process.
Consider the precision required. Constructing a suspension bridge 15 kilometers offshore demands accuracy. Docking immersed tubes on the seabed at 40 meters deep needs millimeter-level precision. Creating an island equivalent to 19 football fields in six months seems impossible. Yet, all these projects were completed on schedule.
Chen Weibin from CCCC Fourth Harbor Engineering emphasizes the project’s irreversible nature. He says there was “no room for error.” They adopted 3D printing to develop a customized pouring system. This saved 2,500 hours of machinery time.
Suo Xuhong highlights the independent development of key technologies. His team generated over 170 patents. They achieved eight major technological innovations. These include rapid island formation. They also include underwater push-type final joints. They even developed an underwater 3D printer, a gravel leveling ship.
The Junjing Bridge contributes to ecological protection. Ma Dingqiang explains how they prioritized the marine environment. Traditional dredging methods would have been more economical. However, they risked harming the Chinese white dolphin habitat. Instead, they used a precise mechanical rock-breaking technique. This cost an extra 30 million yuan and over a year of time. But it minimized the impact on the dolphins.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has impressive statistics. Its suspension bridge has a 1,666-meter span. It has a navigation clearance height of 76.5 meters. One anchor contains approximately 344,000 cubic meters of concrete. The bridge withstood wind speeds of 83.7 meters per second.
The underwater tunnel is equally remarkable. It is the world’s longest bi-directional eight-lane immersed tube tunnel. Standard segments are 165 meters long and 46 meters wide. Each segment required pouring 29,000 cubic meters of self-compacting concrete. The project also features the world’s first underwater highway interchange.
Hempel provided a customized coating solution for the bridge. This ensures long-lasting aesthetics and corrosion protection. The project meets stringent requirements for safety and sustainability. Approximately 2 million liters of coating were used.
The Junjing Bridge represents more than just a crossing. It is a symbol of innovation. It demonstrates China’s expertise. It offers solutions for global transportation challenges. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of engineering and environmental consciousness. It is a bridge to the future.