The main tower of the Xihoumen railway and highway bridge, measuring 3,118 meters, is located between two islands of Zhoushan city in Zhejiang province and has begun underwater construction.
The Xihoumen Bridge is currently under construction.
Zhoushan, a city consisting of numerous islands, is situated in the coastal region of Zhejiang province at the edge of Hangzhou Bay. The 3,118-meter-long bridge is the longest railway and highway bridge in the world, connecting Jintang Island and Daishan Island in Zhoushan. Both the railway and expressway lanes will be constructed on the same deck. Two railway tracks designed for a maximum speed of 250 km/h are placed in the middle of the deck, with three expressway lanes on each side.
With a deck width of 68 meters, this bridge is also the widest sea bridge in the world. The deck design helps to reduce wind resistance and enhance the stability of the structure, according to Wang Donghui, the chief engineer at the China Railway Bridge Engineering Corporation. The bridge spans a major strait near a nearby port. Over 200 container ships with a capacity of 30,000 tons and bulk carriers pass through this area every day.
The main section of the bridge is expected to be completed by 2028. With the high-speed railway running on the island, the travel time between Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, and Zhoushan will be shortened to approximately one hour.
Video: CGTN
