China opened an ambitious transportation infrastructure project connecting the southern cities of Shenzhen and Zhongshan for a trial run on Sunday. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link consists of two bridges, two artificial islands and a tunnel that traverse the Pearl River Estuary. Photo: VCG

Traffic streams across the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link from Zhongshan on Sunday evening. The purpose of the project is to drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to travel between the two Guangdong province cities. Photo: VCG

The 24-kilometer (14.9-mile) Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, which was under construction for seven years, includes an underwater tunnel. Photo: Xinhua

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge stands in the distance behind a Shenzhen Metro train on Friday. Photo: VCG

The western artificial island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link was still under construction in June 2023. Photo: Xinhua

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge undergoes a load test on April 11. Photo: Xinhua

A construction crane clings to bridge towers as construction continued in February 2023. Photo: VCG

A construction crew works on the bridge in February 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Officials hold a ceremony marking the completion of the Zhongshan Bridge, the second bridge on the link, on June 28, 2022. Photo: VCG

Before the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link opened, it took about two hours to drive between the two cities. Photo: Xinhua