Danjiang Bridge Taipei by Zaha Hadid Architects, Tamsui river crossing Taiwan, Mega architecture structure images

Danjiang Bridge Taipei, Taiwan

ZHA Tamsui river structure news. Contemporary Taiwan architectural development design by Zaha Hadid Architects

post updated 22 October 2025

Design: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)

Location: mouth of the Tamsui River, Taipei, Taiwan

Danjiang Bridge to open 12 May 2026

Photos by Paddy Chao

Danjiang Bridge Construction News

The final segment of Danjiang Bridge’s steel decking has been installed, connecting the east and west banks of the Tamsui river estuary for the first time. Following this important milestone in the bridge’s construction, its 12 May 2026 opening date is now confirmed.

Spanning the mouth of the Tamsui River which flows through Taipei, Danjiang Bridge is the world’s longest single-tower, asymmetric cable-stayed bridge and is integral to the region’s comprehensive infrastructure upgrading program.

On opening next May, the bridge will reduce through-traffic congestion on 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 of the river.

Danjiang Bridge will also significantly improve the northern coast traffic network by reducing traffic on the existing Guandu Bridge 5km upriver, easing travel between Tamsui District, New Taipei City’s Linkou District, downtown Taipei and New Taipei City, as well Taoyuan International Airport and the Port of Taipei. With dedicated pedestrian and cycle lanes, ZHA’s design also allows for the future expansion of the Danhai Light Rail network across the Tamsui River.

The Tamsui River estuary is an important natural ecosystem, bordered by the urban centres of Tamsui to the east and Bali to the west. The estuary has become a popular recreational destination for residents and tourists to gather to watch the sunset.

Engineered to optimise structural performance without impairing views of the setting sun, a sculptural 200-metre concrete mast has been designed to be as slender as possible while safely supporting the bridge’s 450-metre central span in extreme weather conditions and seismic events.

Determined by detailed 3D modelling and mapping of the estuary, the position of the bridge’s sculptural mast within the river and the height of its road deck above the water’s surface have been calculated to maintain safe passage for river vessels and minimise impeding sunset views from popular viewpoints along the river. The single-mast design also reduces the structure’s impact on the riverbed in line with stringent programs established to protect the estuary’s ecosystem.

With the bridge’s structural components now complete, construction teams will begin laying asphalt on the road deck, install lighting, noise barriers and auxiliary facilities, as well as adjust cable forces and conduct structural load tests ahead of the 12 May 2026 opening.

Danjiang Bridge in Taiwan – Building Information

Project Team:

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Design: Zaha Hadid, Patrik Schumacher

ZHA Competition Project Directors: Charles Walker, Manuela Gatto
ZHA Competition Project Architect: Shao-wei Huang
ZHA Competition Design Associate: Paulo Flores
ZHA Competition Lead Designer: Saman Saffarian
ZHA Competition Project Team: Evgeniya Yatsyuk, Paul Bart, Sam Sharpe, Silviya Barzakova , Julian Lin, Ramon Weber
ZHA Delivery Project Director: Cristiano Ceccato
ZHA Delivery Project Architect: Shao-wei Huang
ZHA Delivery Project Team: Carlos Michel-Medina, Chien-shuo Pai, Julian Lin, Elena Scripelliti, Nelli Denisova, Kate Hunter, Jessica Wang
ZHA Delivery Project BIM Support: Paul Ehret

Consultants:

Lead structural engineering consultancy and JV Partner: Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner (Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner, Beratende Ingenieure VBI AG , Germany)
Local engineering consultants and JV Partner: Sinotech Engineering Consultants (Sinotech Engineering Consultants, Ltd, Taiwan, R.O.C.)
Lighting designer: Chroma33 Architectural Lighting Design (Taiwan, R.O.C.)

Photography by Paddy Chao

Zaha Hadid

Previously on e-architect:

20 Mar 2019

Design: Zaha Hadid Architects

Location: mouth of Tamsui River in Taipei, Taiwan

Danjiang Bridge, Taiwan

Construction has begun on the 920m Danjiang Bridge in Taiwan, the world’s longest single-mast, asymmetric cable-stayed bridge.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With a construction schedule of 68 months and budget of NT$12.49billion (US$405.2 million), the Danjiang Bridge is scheduled to open in 2024.

Danjiang Bridge, Taiwan – Building Information

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Design: Zaha Hadid, Patrik Schumacher
Project Directors (Competition): Charles Walker, Manuela Gatto
Project Architect (Competition): Shao-wei Huang
Design Associate (Competition): Paulo Flores
Lead Designer (Competition): Saman Saffarian
Project Team (Competition): Evgeniya Yatsyuk, Paul Bart, Sam Sharpe, Silviya Barzakova, Julian Lin, Ramon Weber
Project Director (Delivery): Cristiano Ceccato
Project Architect (Delivery): Shao-wei Huang
Project Team (Delivery): Carlos Michel-Medina, Chien-shuo Pai, Julian Lin, Elena Scripelliti
Project BIM Support (Delivery): Paul Ehret