Danjiang Bridge Opens to Public at 4 PM This Afternoon; Cloud Gate Drone Performance at Evening Gala
Ahead of its official opening, the Danjiang Bridge will host an evening gala. From 4 PM, the public can access the bridge from the Tamsui side to watch a drone show and the global premiere of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's 'Chain of Light,' with capacity for 60,000 people.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 12:01
- 🔍 Collected: May 9, 2026 at 12:31 (29 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 15:17 (2h 45m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Taipei, May 9, Reporter Huang Chiao-wen) The Danjiang Bridge pre-opening event series will culminate tonight with the opening ceremony gala. From 4 PM this afternoon, the public can access the bridge from the Tamsui side to a designated area to watch the drone performance and the global premiere of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's 'Chain of Light.' The Directorate General of Highways (DGH) has planned space for 60,000 people.
The main section of the Danjiang Bridge project underwent international bidding, seven failed tenders, and budget adjustments before being awarded in 2018 to Gongsin Engineering. Construction began in February 2019, facing multiple challenges such as strong winds, tides, sea conditions, and high-altitude operations. Before its official opening at 11:30 AM on May 12, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Directorate General of Highways will host the 'Gratitude and Beautiful Night' opening ceremony gala tonight. The Danjiang Bridge will become Taiwan's new national gateway landmark and will present a new calling card for Taiwan to the international community.
According to the DGH's plan, the gala will start at 6:15 PM, expected to begin with the O Kai Singers' 'Ode to Tamsui' and pay tribute to the engineering heroes involved in the bridge's construction. In addition to a documentary about these heroes, there will be a drone performance with over 600 drones and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's new work 'Chain of Light' created specifically for the Danjiang Bridge, along with the simultaneous lighting of landscape light poles and streetlights.
The DGH stated that the opening ceremony gala will center on 'paying tribute to the engineering heroes who built the Danjiang Bridge.' To allow public participation, a 700-inch large TV wall and multiple 300-inch TV screens have been set up in designated viewing areas. From 4 PM today, the public can access the bridge from the Tamsui side, with space for 60,000 people, to watch the gala broadcast simultaneously on the large screens.
The DGH pointed out that the main stage seating area will be arranged for units involved in the planning, design, supervision, construction, and cross-domain cooperation of the Danjiang Bridge, as well as the hardworking engineering heroes, their families, and invited guests. Due to limited seating, it will not be open to the general public.
The DGH reminded that today's bridge access method differs from previous events. Public access is from the Tamsui side's main lane onto the bridge, to a designated viewing area to watch the gala broadcast. The Bali side will not be open to the public due to event and safety planning. The bridge deck will also be subject to safety controls for the gala and will not serve as a through-passage between the Tamsui and Bali sides.
The main span of the Danjiang Bridge is approximately 920 meters long, with a main span of 450 meters, making it the world's longest single-tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge. Designed by the internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid Architects, it draws inspiration from the 'Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's' dancing posture, with the bridge tower symbolizing clasped hands, conveying a wish for blessings for Taiwan.
Considering the varying depth of the Tamsui River estuary's bedrock, the surrounding environment, and the harmony of the sunset scenery, the DGH stated that the design team simulated 12 sunset viewing spots along the Tamsui River to ensure the bridge harmonizes with the Tamsui sunset throughout the seasons. The main bridge tower was deliberately offset towards the Tamsui side to prevent the sunset from being obstructed. This configuration not only preserves the 'beauty of the sunset' but also created the world's largest single-tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge in terms of span.
The Danjiang Bridge serves multiple transportation functions, including an expressway, reserved space for future Danhai Light Rail, and bus, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian pathways, making it the first bridge in Taiwan to integrate both road and light rail. After its opening, it will connect Provincial Highway 61, Provincial Highway 64, and the North Coast's transportation corridor. The DGH previously estimated that it would shorten the driving distance between Tamsui and Bali by approximately 15 kilometers, saving about 25 minutes of travel time, and relieving 17% of traffic flow on Provincial Highway 2's Zhubei section and 30% on Guandu Bridge. (Edited by: Li Heng-shan) 1150509
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(Taipei, May 9, Reporter Huang Chiao-wen) The Danjiang Bridge pre-opening event series will culminate tonight with the opening ceremony gala. From 4 PM this afternoon, the public can access the bridge from the Tamsui side to a designated area to watch the drone performance and the global premiere of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's 'Chain of Light.' The Directorate General of Highways (DGH) has planned space for 60,000 people.
The main section of the Danjiang Bridge project underwent international bidding, seven failed tenders, and budget adjustments before being awarded in 2018 to Gongsin Engineering. Construction began in February 2019, facing multiple challenges such as strong winds, tides, sea conditions, and high-altitude operations. Before its official opening at 11:30 AM on May 12, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Directorate General of Highways will host the 'Gratitude and Beautiful Night' opening ceremony gala tonight. The Danjiang Bridge will become Taiwan's new national gateway landmark and will present a new calling card for Taiwan to the international community.
According to the DGH's plan, the gala will start at 6:15 PM, expected to begin with the O Kai Singers' 'Ode to Tamsui' and pay tribute to the engineering heroes involved in the bridge's construction. In addition to a documentary about these heroes, there will be a drone performance with over 600 drones and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's new work 'Chain of Light' created specifically for the Danjiang Bridge, along with the simultaneous lighting of landscape light poles and streetlights.
The DGH stated that the opening ceremony gala will center on 'paying tribute to the engineering heroes who built the Danjiang Bridge.' To allow public participation, a 700-inch large TV wall and multiple 300-inch TV screens have been set up in designated viewing areas. From 4 PM today, the public can access the bridge from the Tamsui side, with space for 60,000 people, to watch the gala broadcast simultaneously on the large screens.
The DGH pointed out that the main stage seating area will be arranged for units involved in the planning, design, supervision, construction, and cross-domain cooperation of the Danjiang Bridge, as well as the hardworking engineering heroes, their families, and invited guests. Due to limited seating, it will not be open to the general public.
The DGH reminded that today's bridge access method differs from previous events. Public access is from the Tamsui side's main lane onto the bridge, to a designated viewing area to watch the gala broadcast. The Bali side will not be open to the public due to event and safety planning. The bridge deck will also be subject to safety controls for the gala and will not serve as a through-passage between the Tamsui and Bali sides.
The main span of the Danjiang Bridge is approximately 920 meters long, with a main span of 450 meters, making it the world's longest single-tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge. Designed by the internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid Architects, it draws inspiration from the 'Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's' dancing posture, with the bridge tower symbolizing clasped hands, conveying a wish for blessings for Taiwan.
Considering the varying depth of the Tamsui River estuary's bedrock, the surrounding environment, and the harmony of the sunset scenery, the DGH stated that the design team simulated 12 sunset viewing spots along the Tamsui River to ensure the bridge harmonizes with the Tamsui sunset throughout the seasons. The main bridge tower was deliberately offset towards the Tamsui side to prevent the sunset from being obstructed. This configuration not only preserves the 'beauty of the sunset' but also created the world's largest single-tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge in terms of span.
The Danjiang Bridge serves multiple transportation functions, including an expressway, reserved space for future Danhai Light Rail, and bus, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian pathways, making it the first bridge in Taiwan to integrate both road and light rail. After its opening, it will connect Provincial Highway 61, Provincial Highway 64, and the North Coast's transportation corridor. The DGH previously estimated that it would shorten the driving distance between Tamsui and Bali by approximately 15 kilometers, saving about 25 minutes of travel time, and relieving 17% of traffic flow on Provincial Highway 2's Zhubei section and 30% on Guandu Bridge. (Edited by: Li Heng-shan) 1150509
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the 'First-hand News' APP from Central News Agency to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.