Shizi Yang Crossing Main Bridge

The Shizi Yang Crossing is a major highway scheme in the ZhuJiang Delta, in Southeast China, which includes a 12.5km-long viaduct with a main span of 2180m (the world’s largest span once completed). The scheme will further integrate the cities in the area, one of the most densely populated in the world and one of its main economic zones, unlocking opportunities for further development and facilitating trade.

Knight Architects, working closely with Cowi, was one of two teams invited by CCCC Highways Consultants to participate in a study to develop an alternative concept design for the main bridge in the scheme. The work included site analysis, identification of constraints and opportunities, options analysis for different bridge elements (towers, deck, anchor blocks, or access spans), and development of an alternative concept design. Deliverables included an architectural report, high quality renders and a video.

Our alternative design concept has a suspension main span, supported from 367m-tall A-shaped towers, and shorter side spans over frame-shaped piers. The double deck carries a total of 16 lanes. In the main span the decks are the top and bottom chord of a Warren truss. Despite the complex engineering and construction constraints, our proposed design seamlessly blends structural innovation with architectural creativity, creating a future landmark in the area.

The work we undertook for CCCC Highway Consultants and the alternative design concept we produced helped provide sufficient confidence for the clients to progress such a unique and large-scale infrastructure scheme. As a result, CCCC Highway Consultants have moved forward with the original reference design, and the Shizi Yang Crossing Main Bridge now under construction is not based on Knight Architects/Cowi alternative concept design.