China's $6.7 billion cross-sea bridge mega project sets world record for paving in just one day

China just set a world record while building a sea bridge connecting two cities. What is it?

The main section of the $6.7 billion Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge is due to be completed on November 28, 2023. The 24km-long cross-sea route includes a 6.8km underwater tunnel. The deepest point of the tunnel is 39m below sea level. Engineers are building an intelligent escape system for the route to respond quickly to accidents.

With its intelligent design, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Expressway emergency command center can immediately launch emergency rescue operations with just one button after receiving the information.

In particular, the tunnel is equipped with 83 emergency exits and a large number of sensors, providing maximum protection for passengers. In addition, emergency rescue piers on the eastern and western artificial islands. The eastern pier is 2,200 square meters wide ^and the western pier is 1,560 square ^meters wide , which will be useful in case of serious traffic congestion on this route.

Workers introduce the structure of the 6.8km underwater tunnel. (Photo: Chinadaily).

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan route is expected to open to traffic in June 2024 , reducing travel time between the two cities from 2 hours to about 30 minutes.

Set a world record in just 1 day

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge megaproject has an undersea tunnel. (Photo: Getty Images).

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge is 46 meters wide, has eight lanes, artificial islands and an undersea tunnel. The construction company has claimed a world record: they paved more than 22,600 square meters of asphalt, equivalent to more than 50 basketball courts, in just one day.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge project is expected to be operational in June 2024. (Photo: CGTN).

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge megaproject is part of China's 13th "five-year plan" to boost the Greater Bay Area economy. Home to about 68 million people and covering an area of ​​56.4 square kilometers, the Greater Bay Area is home to 11 cities, including Zhongshan and Shenzhen. Once the bridge opens in 2024, the Greater Bay Area will become an economic and technological hub that can compete with New York, San Francisco (USA) or Tokyo (Japan).

Experts say that once put into operation, the $6.7 billion bridge will certainly bring economic value by significantly reducing travel time between the two cities and reducing traffic.