Construction work has begun on the 920-metre Danjiang Bridge in Taiwan, the bridge will be the world’s longest single-mast, asymmetric cable-stayed structure designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. 

Spanning the mouth of the Tamsui River that flows through Taipei, the Danjiang Bridge is integral to the infrastructure upgrading program of northern Taiwan.

Image © MIR

The new bridge will reduce through-traffic on congested local roads by linking Highway 2 on the river’s eastern side with Highway 15, the West Coast Expressway (Route 61) and the Bali-Xindian Expressway (Route 64) on the western side.

In reducing traffic by 30% on the existing Guandu Bridge 5km upriver, the Danjiang Bridge will significantly improve Taiwan’s northern coast traffic network and also enhance accessibility throughout the region with the Port of Taipei and Taoyuan International Airport.

Image © MIR

The Tamsui River estuary is an important natural ecosystem flanked by the urban centres of Tamsui to the East and Bali to the west. The estuary is rapidly growing in popularity with both residents and tourists as a recreational area where people gather each day to watch the sun setting over the Taiwan Strait.

Image © MIR

The bridge minimises its visual impact by using a single concrete mast to support its main 450-metre span with dedicated road, cycle and pedestrian lanes. The design also accommodates future expansion of the Danhai Light Rail network across the Tamsui River.

A Sinotech Engineering Consultants and Leonhardt, Andrä and Partner joint venture with Zaha Hadid Architects, the bridge’s 200-metre mast is engineered to be as slender as possible.

Image © MIR

 Positioned to optimise  structural performance as well as views of the setting sun from popular viewing points along the riverbank, the mast’s location also avoids impeding the navigability of the river. 

This single-mast design minimises disruption to the riverbed in accordance with the enhanced protection programs of the estuary’s ecosystem as a nature reserve.

Image © VisualArch

Attending the ground-breaking ceremony, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen explained the new bridge will reduce the journey between Bali and Tamsui on either side of the river by 15 km, saving 25 minutes of travelling time for those crossing the river.

Construction work is expected to be completed in 68 months and budget of NT$12.49billion (US$405.2 million), the Danjiang Bridge is scheduled to open in 2024.

Image © VisualArch

Image © VisualArch

Image © VisualArch

Image © VisualArch

Top image: Danjiang Bridge by Zaha Hadid Architects, render © MIR 

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