Construction of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link is nearing completion

The 24-kilometre Shenzhen-Zhongshan link is edging closer towards completion, following the final pouring of concrete on the seam of its 6.4-kilometre underwater tunnel yesterday. 

With an anticipated 2024 opening, the 44 billion yuan mega project will link up the southern Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Zhongshan, presently separated by the Pearl River Estuary.

Upon completion, the cross-sea highway will cut down the time required to travel between the two cities from 2 hours to just 20 minutes. 

[See more: Shenzhen-Zhongshan link set for 2024 opening]

Construction of the link – which consists of two suspension bridges, two artificial islands and tunnels – began in 2017 in a bid to improve connectivity between the cities of the Greater Bay Area. 

The project is also expected to be a boon for the western side of the Pearl River Delta according to the director of the Institute of Policy and Practice at the Shenzhen campus of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Xiao Geng. 

Geng told CNN, “The west side of the [delta] is not as developed as the east side.” 

—With reporting by Kenny Fong