“Pearl River Delta connectivity will improve” I overheard someone say. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link stands as a testament to modern engineering. It connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan. This link improves connectivity across the Pearl River. It enables efficient resource allocation. It supports the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is more than just a road. It is a strategic project. It drives high-quality development in Guangdong. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is the only direct highway between major urban clusters. These are Shenzhen-Dongguan-Huizhou and Zhuhai-Zhongshan-Jiangmen.
Imagine driving through the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. You are part of a journey that redefines regional connectivity. The project which was completed in June 2024, is a bridge-tunnel system. The eight-lane link spans 49.7 kilometers. It cost about US$4.83 billion.
The history of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link reflects strategic planning. Shenzhen initially sought inclusion in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge project. When this did not occur, the idea for a separate link emerged.
Consider the scale of engineering involved in the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. The link includes a 6.7 km tunnel and 43 km of bridges. The longest continuous bridge section stretches about 22.5 km. Approximately 15.5 km of it is above the sea. The link has four lanes in each direction. The maximum speed is 100 km/h.
Think about the impact on travel time. The bridge joins the Guangshen Expressway and the Jihe Expressway. On the eastern side of the delta it joins the Zhongjiang Expressway on the western side. Travel time from Shenzhen to Zhongshan has been cut to less than 30 minutes.
Marvel at the records held by the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. It boasts the world’s longest span fully offshore steel box girder suspension bridge. The main span measures 1666 meters. It also features the world’s highest bridge deck and navigation clearance for a sea bridge. The bridge deck height is 91 meters. The world’s largest offshore suspension bridge anchor is used. Its single anchor’s concrete volume is approximately 344000 cubic meters.
Consider the tunnel section of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. It features the world’s longest two-way eight-lane immersed tube tunnel. Its length measures 5035 meters. It consists of 32 tube sections and one final joint. This marvel also boasts the world’s widest underwater steel shell-concrete immersed tube tunnel. The standard tube section measures 165 meters long and 46 meters wide. Its height is 10.6 meters.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link stands as a symbol of progress. It embodies innovation. It promotes connectivity. It facilitates growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.