Consider a project so grand it reshapes the landscape. That project is the Shenzhong Bridge. It is more than just a bridge. The Shenzhong Bridge is a symbol of innovation. It represents connection between Shenzhen and Zhongshan.
The Shenzhong Link is an immense undertaking. It stretches 24 kilometers. This link connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan. These cities sit on opposite sides of the Pearl River. Imagine reducing travel time. The Shenzhong Bridge cuts travel from 120 minutes to just 20. Guangdong province benefits greatly. It supports continuous growth in the area.
This mega project boasts impressive features. It has artificial islands and high-level bridges. There is also a causeway and an immersed tunnel. The tunnel is record-breaking. It is the widest immersed tunnel ever built. It features the widest road bores. The Shenzhong Bridge includes the Lingding Suspension Bridge. Its bridge span measures 298 meters plus 1,666 meters plus 580 meters. The pylon height reaches 213.5 meters. The Zhongshan Cable-stayed Bridge has a span of 295 meters plus 580 meters plus 295 meters. Its pylon height is also 213.5 meters. These bridges withstand strong typhoon winds. This ensures optimum wind stability.
Innovation was key to the Shenzhong Bridge’s construction. Building artificial islands required new techniques. Traditional methods proved insufficient. The team drew inspiration from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. They used vibrating-sinking technology. This fixed giant steel cylinders to the seabed. Sand was then added to form the island. Deep slurry mixing technology addressed the soft soil. A special ship acted like a blender. It added mud to reduce the strength of the hard soil layer. The underwater tunnel stretches nearly 7,000 meters. It includes over 5,000-meter-long prefabricated immersed tubes. It is the world’s first long-distance dual eight-lane submarine tunnel using immersed tubes.
A smart factory in Zhuhai played a vital role. It enabled rapid prefabrication and transportation of the tubes. Floating these tubes was a challenge. The YIHANG JINAN 1, a self-propelled ship, was used. It has self-navigation capability. It also has an immersed tube positioning system. This ensures accurate positioning underwater. The BeiDou system aided unmanned installation.
The Shenzhong Bridge features two 270-meter-high main towers. These towers have a navigation clearance of 76.5 meters. An intelligent tower construction machine was designed. This mobile device integrates processing and installation. It builds towers faster and reduces high-altitude workers. Its intelligent maintenance system ensures concrete standardization.
Since opening in June, the Shenzhong Bridge has seen immense traffic. By October, it had exceeded 10 million vehicles. It is a crucial link for integrated development. The Shenzhong Bridge has cultivated high-quality engineering teams. It provides Chinese solutions for the world. As you stand here, consider the magnitude of this project. The Shenzhong Bridge is not just infrastructure. It’s a testament to human ingenuity. It is a link to the future.