The load testing, a crucial step before the bridge can open to traffic, involved 136 heavy trucks with a total weight of approximately 5000 tons to conduct a thorough "health check" on the Zhongshan Bridge and its non-navigable approach spans.

Bridge Load Testing

The main building on the western artificial island serves as the maritime "control center" for the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link and is the largest structure on the island. It spans 34,000 square meters, primarily housing the island's research, education facilities, and administrative offices.

Rendering of the western artificial island

The roof of the main building features a mesh shell structure with palm leaf-shaped aluminum panels mounted on steel components, which enhance ventilation and shading to improve the comfort of the building and reduce energy consumption.

Exterior of the main building

A 55-meter-tall wind tower, located to the left of the main building on the western artificial island, stands as the tallest structure on the island. It serves as a supplementary ventilation system for the underwater tunnel, often described as the tunnel's "respiratory system." The wind tower, constructed with cast-in-place concrete, features exposed aggregate concrete as a distinctive architectural element.

Wind tower

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a comprehensive super-engineering project that integrates bridges, islands, tunnels, and underwater interchanges, stretches approximately 24 kilometers in length. Upon completion, it will reduce the travel time between Shenzhen and Zhongshan from the current two hours to under 30 minutes.