New Taipei’s Danjiang Bridge nears completion

新北市淡江大橋即將完工

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Danjiang Bridge, which connects Tamsui and Bali, is set to open on May 12.

The bridge was designed by Zaha Hadid’s architectural firm, according to the Highway Bureau. The main bridge is about 920 meters long, with a main span of 450 meters. Once opened, it will become the world’s longest single-tower asymmetric cable-stayed bridge.

The design features two express lanes in each direction, along with motorcycle lanes, sidewalks, and bicycle paths, and includes reserved space for a future light rail system. It is expected to cut commuting time between the two districts by about 25 minutes and boost development in areas surrounding Taipei Port.

The bureau said the project is in its final stage. Dismantling the tower crane on the main bridge tower was one of the most critical tasks at this stage.

Because the main bridge tower rises about 200 meters above sea level, the bureau said all materials used during construction, including steel reinforcement, concrete, and stay cables, relied on multiple tower cranes for high-altitude lifting and support.

The bureau said crane dismantling began in late January and was extremely difficult. The construction team worked through the Lunar New Year holiday and finished the job nine days ahead of schedule.