Tunnel construction signals new phase in bridge project

Construction of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge, another mega bridge and tunnel project along with Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, entered a new stage when construction of an immersed tube tunnel began in July.

With a length of 6.8 kilometers and a width of 46 meters, the two-way eight-lane tunnel will be the largest and widest in the world upon completion. More than 320,000 metric tons of steel will be required for its construction.

Song Shenyou, chief engineer of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge, said the construction of the structure is a highly complicated procedure. In some aspects it is even greater than the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge because a number of factors need to be taken into consideration, such as height limits, flood control and environmental protection measures.