China’s Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link: From Blueprint to Reality

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a mega cross-sea passage in south China, opened to traffic on Sunday. This 24-kilometer infrastructure boasts an underwater tunnel, two bridges, and two artificial islands.

The passage connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan, slashing travel time from two hours to under 30 minutes. The complex project encountered numerous technical challenges, but all tasks were completed on schedule.

Key innovations in construction included the use of a customized intelligent pouring system and a gravel leveling ship, enabling millimeter-level precision in docking and rapid island formation.

The project team garnered 170 patents and eight major technological innovations. Notably, the BeiDou system was integrated into the construction process for the first time globally.

Environmental considerations were also prioritized, focusing on protecting the habitat of the Chinese white dolphin, even at higher financial and time costs.