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Friday, April 23, 2021, 17:16
Shenzhong Link to slash travel time in Greater Bay Area
By Aybek Askhar
Friday, April 23, 2021, 17:16 By Aybek Askhar

In this undated file photo, Shenzhong Link, which will connect cities on both sides of the Pearl River, especially Zhongshan and Shenzhen, is under construction. (LU ZHIHUA / CHINA DAILY)

A well-developed ground transportation system in the Pearl River Delta of South China's Guangdong province has significantly shortened the journey between the cities from days to hours, but the region is expecting more.

The delta is divided into two parts by the Pearl River, which empties into the South China Sea, and it takes two hours to travel from Zhongshan on the west bank to the opposite city of Shenzhen, a vibrant Special Economic Zone, by taking a detour from the north.

But the travel time will be reduced to only 20 minutes after Shenzhong Link, an ongoing mega-project spanning the river estuary, is completed in 2024.

The Link, which will connect cities on both sides of the river, especially Zhongshan and Shenzhen, features two suspension bridges, two artificial islands and an underground interchange that links an immersed tunnel with the bridges.

During the rush hour, it may take more time to travel around the highway in the north, which is often overloaded with vehicles. But the completion of the project will largely relieve traffic pressure in the area.

Chen Yue, Deputy chief engineer, Shenzhong Link

Founded in 2017, the same year the country decided to initiate the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area plan, the project aims to improve traffic flow through the province by offering a more direct connection between city clusters on both sides of the river.

"During the rush hour, it may take more time to travel around the highway in the north, which is often overloaded with vehicles. But the completion of the project will largely relieve traffic pressure in the area," said Chen Yue, deputy chief engineer of the Shenzhong Link.

Four traffic lanes were designed in each direction of the Link, which is able to carry up 90,000 cars a day and provide adequate space for large vehicles.

To provide a more efficient way to travel on and across the river, the underground interchange, which sits in one of the artificial islands, has became a highlight of the project.

"The bridges stop at the interchange, and vehicles will enter the 46-meter-wide immersed tunnel, the widest in the world, arriving in Shenzhen on the east," Chen said, adding the design should provide enough space for ships passing through the river.

Also, as a step to advance infrastructure development in the GBA, the 24-kilometer-long mega project connects Guangdong's three pilot free trade zones of Qianhai in Shenzhen, Nansha in Guangzhou and Hengqin in Zhuhai.

The project, which costs more than 44.69 billion yuan ($6.38 billion), is not only improving transportation in the GBA, but also providing an alternative option for those who cannot bear ever-rising house prices in Shenzhen.

In this undated file photo, Shenzhong Link, which will connect cities on both sides of the Pearl River, especially Zhongshan and Shenzhen, is under construction. (LU ZHIHUA / CHINA DAILY)

Ricky Woo, a native from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region currently working in the city as an insurance broker, believes owning a house is a distant dream for him.

"I am renting a house an hour's drive from my office in the city's downtown, and payment is quite expensive," the 26-year-old said.

But on the other side of the Link, housing prices in Zhongshan are only one-fifth of Shenzhen's, which, according to Ricky, may help him accomplish his dream of having a house of his own.

"I told my friends unless something unexpected happens, I do not think that I am able to buy a house at my age, but I will keep my eyes on the project," he said. "It may change my life in the near future."

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