Chinese bridge sets 10 world records

On June 30, 2024, the Chinese bridge, Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, opened, allowing the country to claim 10 world records in one fell swoop.

The 24-kilometer passage links the opposite banks of the Pearl River estuary. Also, it joins the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, letting people traverse these densely populated areas. 

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The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has a team of 14 robots constantly patrolling it. They check pipes and cables and spot car accidents to ensure the Chinese bridge operates smoothly.

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China's latest mega cross-sea link, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, opens to traffic in southern Guangdong Province. The link drastically reduces travel time between the city of Zhongshan and the technology hub of Shenzhen from 2 hours to around 30 minutes.https://t.co/BLDHOjngW0 pic.twitter.com/IBm0lNC3MH

— ChineseEmbassyManila (@Chinaembmanila) June 30, 2024

The China Global Television Network (CGTN) says the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link set the following world records: 

1. Largest span for a fully offshore steel box girder suspension bridge (1,666 m/5,466 ft)
2. Highest bridge deck (91 m/299 ft)
3. Highest navigation clearance for a sea bridge
4. Largest offshore suspension bridge anchor (344,000 m3 /12 million cubic ft of concrete)
5. Highest wind resistance test speed for a suspension bridge (83.7 m/273.6 ft per second)
6. Largest steel bridge deck with hot-mix epoxy asphalt paving (378,800 m2 /4 million sq ft)
7. Longest two-way, eight-lane immersed tube tunnel (5,035 m/16,519 ft)
8. Widest underwater steel shell-concrete immersed tube tunnel (up to 55.6 m/182.4 ft)
9. Largest single-volume cast for a steel-shell immersed tube using self-compacting concrete (29,000 m3 /1 million cubic ft per tube section)
10. The widest repeatedly foldable M-shaped water stop used in the final joint of an immersed tube tunnel (3 m/9.8 ft)

The Chinese bridge is also one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects to date due to its scale and complexity. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a mere stretch of road.

It links two artificial islands via an underwater tunnel, with bridges connecting each island to the city on that side. As a result, it is the world’s first underwater expressway interchange and airport interchange. 

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link also boasts robust safety features like firefighting and smoke exhaust systems. As mentioned, it has 14 robots that check pipes and cables and look for car accidents.

Once they detect a car crash, they will direct traffic with their loudspeakers. Meanwhile, it will film the scene and transmit footage to a remote control center.