Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link: A Marvel of Engineering and World Records
The newly opened Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is a groundbreaking infrastructure project, boasting an impressive 10 lanes of traffic. With 8 lanes designed for speeds up to 100 km/h and two dedicated emergency lanes, this vital new route dramatically cuts travel time, reducing a journey that once took two hours to a mere 30 minutes. After seven years of dedicated construction, the link officially opened its gates to traffic at 3 PM local time on June 30th.
A Decade of World Records Shattered
According to CGTN, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has achieved an astonishing 10 world records, cementing its place as a true engineering marvel. These remarkable feats include:
- The Highest Bridge Deck at 91 meters.
- The Highest Navigation Clearance for a Sea Bridge.
- The Largest Offshore Suspension Bridge Anchor, utilizing 344,000 cubic meters of concrete.
- The Highest Wind Resistance Test Speed for a Suspension Bridge, recorded at 83.7 meters per second.
- The Largest Steel Bridge Deck paved with hot-mix epoxy asphalt, covering 378,800 square meters.
- The Longest Two-Way, 8-Lane Immersed Tunnel.
- The Widest Underwater Steel-Shelled Concrete Immersed Tunnel, measuring 55.6 meters across.
- The Largest Pour for Steel-Shelled Immersed Tunnels using self-compacting concrete, with 29,000 cubic meters per tunnel section.
- The Widest Multi-Foldable M-Shaped Waterstop used in the end joints of the immersed tunnel.
Connecting a Mega-Region
This monumental bridge further connects to the existing Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, currently the world's longest sea-crossing bridge. Together, they form a critical axis for the Greater Bay Area, linking Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Macao, Zhongshan, Foshan, and Guangzhou, creating an integrated and dynamic economic zone.
The sheer scale and innovation of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link are truly awe-inspiring.
