Hainan Island, a popular resort destination with tourists from the mainland, faces mounting pressure to address transportation bottlenecks exacerbated during peak holiday periods, prompting renewed discussions about the feasibility of constructing a bridge connecting the island to the mainland.
During the recent Lunar New Year holiday, Hainan experienced a surge in tourist arrivals, exceeding figures from the previous year by over 30%, as per official data. However, the island’s reliance on air and sea transport resulted in significant travel delays, with ticket prices for flights soaring as carriers struggled to clear backlogs.
Notably, the increase in motorists, particularly those driving electric vehicles (EVs), added to congestion at ferry terminals. Safety guidelines imposed by the provincial transport department limited spaces for EVs on ferries, citing concerns about the risk of spontaneous combustion.
According to Hainan Strait Shipping, operators of passenger services between the island and the mainland, EVs pose a greater safety risk due to their potential for rapid and challenging-to-extinguish fires. Consequently, restrictions on EV carriage were implemented, with each ferry limited to accommodating no more than 10% of its vehicle capacity in new energy vehicles.
In response to the transportation challenges, Zhu Lieyu, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, proposed the construction of a bridge over the Qiongzhou Strait, linking Guangdong Province to Hainan Island. Zhu emphasized the bridge’s potential to alleviate holiday-related price fluctuations and attract investment to the newly established Hainan free trade port, while also integrating Hainan more closely with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
However, the proposal faces substantial engineering hurdles, with discussions on the construction of a bridge spanning the Qiongzhou Strait dating back 50 years. The complex geographical and meteorological conditions, including deep waters and susceptibility to typhoons and earthquakes, have presented significant challenges to previous bridge route considerations.
Despite the long-standing debate, authorities remain cautious about the feasibility of such a project, citing substantial costs and prolonged construction timelines. Alternatives such as expanding air and ferry capacities during peak seasons are being explored as short-term solutions to alleviate congestion.
As Hainan continues to grapple with infrastructure challenges amid fluctuating tourist demands, discussions around long-term transportation solutions remain ongoing, with officials highlighting the need for sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support the island’s tourism industry.
Related article: Renewed calls for Mainland China tunnel to Hainan Island
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