The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge-Tunnel project was unveiled in Guangdong province last weekend, marking a groundbreaking moment for transportation in the region. The innovative cross-sea bridge-tunnel system set 10 world records and aims to shorten travel time between the two cities from 2 hours to just 30 minutes.
The Pearl River estuary, which includes nine cities in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, is densely populated but separated by water, making travel challenging. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan project connects the cities on opposite sides of the estuary with a 24-kilometer-long structure that includes bridges and a tunnel running between two artificial islands.
The eight lanes of the tunnel have a top speed of 100 km/h, drastically reducing travel time and easing transportation between the cities. After seven years of construction, the project officially opened to traffic at 3 p.m. on June 30 local time.
In addition to its impressive scale and efficiency, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan project features advanced safety measures such as a new fire suppression system and a team of 14 robots that patrol the tunnel, monitoring pipes and cables for smooth operation. The tunnel also showcases a unique lighting system that uses color coding to indicate the status of the tunnel – green for normal conditions and red for emergency situations.
The lights can also guide people to safety by switching from yellow to green along the length of the tunnel. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan project connects with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, making it easier for residents and travelers to navigate the densely populated areas in the region.
Overall, this groundbreaking project marks a significant milestone in transportation infrastructure development in China’s Guangdong province.
