Towering structures pierce the sky, artificial islands stand firm at sea, and bridges stretch like dragons over the water. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a crucial transportation hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, is nearing completion. On June 7th, a hundred journalists were invited for an exclusive preview of the project.

Intelligent inspection robots in the underwater tunnel

The East Artificial Island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is located south of Shenzhen Baoan International Airport. Covering an area of approximately 340,000 square meters, it connects with the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Tunnel and integrates smoothly with road networks like the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Riverside Expressway. This is the world's first underwater highway interchange. Driving west from the main line of the eastern artificial island leads into the 6,845-meter-long tunnel.

"There are 14 intelligent inspection robots in the 6.8-kilometer tunnel, with one stationed every 1.2 kilometers on average in the north and south lanes. These small robots daily inspect the tunnel's traffic and electrical equipment. In emergencies, they can receive remote commands from the control center, rush to the scene, monitor in real-time, relay data, and use built-in speakers to provide guidance."

Huo Jie, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link project leader from Beijing Jiaoke Transport Consultant Ltd., also introduced that the tunnel features dual-wavelength flame detectors, Beidou satellite signal simulators, and other intelligent devices to ensure safe and efficient travel.

A landmark shining over Lingdingyang

Exiting the tunnel leads to the Western Artificial Island, a crucial interchange for bridge and tunnel traffic. The entire 24-kilometer stretch of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has no service areas.Operational management and emergency response facilities are concentrated on the two artificial islands.

"The buildings on theWestern Artificial Island include the main building, wind towers, switch stations, fire stations, and pump rooms. The main building resembles open wings, while the circular switch and fire stations symmetrically aligned with the tunnel axis add a finishing touch to the island," said Ma Er'shun, Deputy Director of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link Management Center.

Ma Er'shun added that a science education base is being constructed in the left wing of the main building. "After the road opens to traffic, social vehicles will not be allowed to enter the Western Artificial Island at will. Once the science education base is completed, we will announce the reservation methods for visits."

A one-hour living circle in the Greater Bay Area is soon to be a reality

Leaving the Western Artificial Island, the world's largest offshore steel box girder suspension bridge, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge (formerly the Lingdingyang Bridge), comes into view. With a main span of 1,666 meters, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge has set five world records for offshore suspension bridge span and navigation clearance height.

Leveraging data from Guangdong Provincial Communication Group's digital maps and data centers, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is advancing the construction of China's first intelligent transportation system at the road network level, incorporating road network sensing, prediction, and early warning functions. This will enhance the traffic capacity of the Pearl River Delta's highway network, providing more travel options and a new travel experience for the public crossing the Pearl River.

海底隧道机器人“上岗”！提前探营深中通道

高塔耸入云端、人工岛屹立海上、桥梁若游龙飞动，粤港澳大湾区关键交通枢纽——深中通道项目建设进入收尾工作阶段。6月7日，百名记者踏上深中通道，提前探营。

海底隧道有智能巡检机器人

深中通道东人工岛位于深圳宝安国际机场南侧，全岛陆域面积约34万平方米，与深中隧道相连接，并实现与广深沿江高速等路网的高效顺畅衔接，为世界首座高速公路水下互通立交。沿东人工岛主线向西行驶，便能进入长6845米的深中隧道。

“长6.8公里的隧道里共有14台智能巡检机器人，南、北行车洞平均每1.2公里就布有一台。这些小小机器人，不仅承担着隧道交通环境和机电设备日常巡检工作，还可以在应急情况下，接受控制中心远程指令赶赴现场，实时监控、传递数据，并通过自带扬声器进行疏导。”

北京交科设计院深中通道项目负责人霍洁介绍，隧道内还有双波长火焰探测器、北斗卫星信号模拟设备等大量智能化设施设备，这些“神器”都将为安全高效出行保驾护航。

高颜值地标闪耀伶仃洋

随着车辆驶出隧道，便抵达桥梁隧道交通转换的重要枢纽——西人工岛。据了解，深中通道全线24公里不设服务区，房建工程集中在两座人工岛，主要承担运营管理、应急救援等功能。

“西人工岛房建工程包括主楼、风塔、开关站、消防站、越浪泵房等。其中，主楼形状如同张开的翅膀，开关站、消防站以隧道为中轴对称分布，为圆形建筑，又像是为西岛这只鲲鹏‘点睛’。”深中通道管理中心副主任马二顺介绍。

马二顺表示，位于主楼左翼的科普教育基地正在加紧建设。“通车后，社会车辆不能随意进入西人工岛。待科普教育基地建成后，我们将及时发布预约参观方式。”

大湾区1小时生活圈指日可待

驶离西人工岛，映入眼帘的是世界最大跨径全离岸海中钢箱梁悬索桥——深中大桥（原伶仃洋大桥）。据了解，主跨1666米的深中大桥创造了离岸海中悬索桥跨径最大、通航净空最高等五项世界纪录。

依托广东交通集团数字底图及数据中心提供的数据基础及地图引擎功能，深中通道积极推进国内首条包含路网感知、预测预警等功能在内的路网级的智慧交通体系建设，将提升珠三角高速公路网的车辆通行能力，为公众往来珠江两岸提供更多的出行选择和全新的出行体验。

文丨记者 王丹阳 刘颖颖 通讯员 粤交集宣 岳路建 沈仲
图丨记者 周巍 曾育文 通讯员 沈仲
翻译丨赵凡