ZHA designs world’s longest single-tower cable-stayed bridge

Compiled by Savitha Hira

Renders: ‘MIR’ and ‘VisualArch’; courtesy ZHA

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When you have the world’s zaniest lady architect, Zaha Hadid designing a seemingly simple cable-stayed bridge, you ought to look again! This one – the new Danjiang Bridge in Taipei proposes to be the world’s longest single-tower, asymmetric cable-stayed bridge.

Zaha Hadid Architects, working with Leonhardt, Andrä & Partner and Sinotech Engineering Consultants, have won the international competition to design the new Danjiang Bridge in Taipei for the Directorate General of Highways, Taiwan.

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The cable-stayed bridge design minimises its visual impact by using only one concrete structural mast to support the 920m road, rail and pedestrian deck made from steel.  

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The 175 m high mast is designed and engineered to be as slender as possible and positioned to offer the best structural performance, avoid impeding the navigability of the river and also minimise any interference with the views of the sunset from popular viewing points along the river. This single-mast design also minimizes structural elements in the riverbed in accordance with the increased protection programs of the estuary’s ecosystems. The spans to the West of the supporting mast are placed at 450m, while to the East of the supporting mast at 175m.

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The Tamsui River estuary is a natural environment 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.

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Located at the mouth of Tamsui River that flows through the capital Taipei, the Danjiang Bridge is integral to the infrastructure upgrading program of northern Taiwan. The bridge is said to increase connectivity between neighbourhoods and reduce through-traffic on local roads within local town centres by linking the Highways and Expressways. It is also said to allow for the extension of Danhai Light Rail Transportation (DHLRT) system over the Tamsui River to connect the town of Bali and the Port/Harbour with Taipei’s public rail network.