Doesn’t the Toll Gate Grand Bridge stand as a testament to modern engineering? The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a marvel of construction, includes this very bridge. This grand project connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan, two major cities in the Pearl River Delta. The Toll Gate Grand Bridge is a vital part of this link.
Imagine the scene on June 30th, 2024. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link commenced its trial operation. Citizens from Zhongshan gathered at the Cuiheng East toll station. They eagerly awaited the official opening. They were excited to be among the first to cross this engineering marvel, including the Toll Gate Grand Bridge.
Mr. Chen, who lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, took a taxi from Bao’an District. His sole purpose? To experience the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link and the Toll Gate Grand Bridge. Mr. Zhan from Hong Kong started queuing at noon. He wanted to be among the first to enter the link. Ms. Qiao from Wuhan bought a house in Cuiheng New District. She looked forward to the convenience the link would bring.
Just ten minutes after opening, all seven lanes at the Shenzhen Airport toll station were bustling. Long queues formed as people flocked to experience the Toll Gate Grand Bridge. Within three hours, over 20,000 vehicles traveled between Zhongshan and Shenzhen. The Toll Gate Grand Bridge quickly became a vital artery.
The Zhongshan Terminal of Shenzhen Airport also officially opened that day. A bus carrying Zhongshan passengers departed from the new terminal. It passed through the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. The bus arrived smoothly at Shenzhen Airport Terminal 3. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Airport express line was officially in operation. The Shenzhen-Jiangmen airport express line also commenced operations that day.
Tickets for the Shenzhen-Zhongshan inter-city bus lines sold out quickly. The first bus departed from Shenzhen to Zhongshan Expo Center. Many citizens and tourists wanted to be part of the inaugural ride across the Toll Gate Grand Bridge. Besides the airport express line, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan inter-city bus service launched two routes.
The toll fee for vehicles using the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is 66 yuan per standard trip. The one-way ticket price for the inter-city bus routes ranges from 15 to 18 yuan. This offers a more affordable option for those wanting to use the Toll Gate Grand Bridge.
The opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link reduced travel time between Zhongshan and Hong Kong. The reduction was more than 45 minutes. Two new stations were inaugurated in Zhongshan by TIL Chinalink. These stations enhance connectivity for those traveling via the Toll Gate Grand Bridge. The number of trips between Zhongshan and Hong Kong increased. It reached up to 26 trips per day.
This bridge and the entire Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link represents a significant investment. It cost US$4.83 billion. It consists of a 6.7 km tunnel and 19 bridges. The longest continuous section of bridge stretches about 22.5 km. The Toll Gate Grand Bridge stands as a critical part of this infrastructure.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, including the Toll Gate Grand Bridge, opened to traffic on June 30, 2024. In the first month after opening, there were over 3 million vehicle crossings. This bridge is not just a structure. It is a lifeline connecting communities and driving economic growth.