At the ceremony in New Taipei attended by President Lai Ching-te, Premier Cho Jung-tai, Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih, the bridge was hailed as both an engineering landmark and a long-awaited regional transport link connecting Tamsui and Bali districts across the mouth of the Tamsui River.

“This bridge is Taiwan’s pride. It will become a landmark for Taiwan and another calling card for the country on the international stage,” Lai said.

“I also hope people across the country can, through the construction of the Danjiang Bridge, feel the respect Taiwan has earned internationally. If we stand united and work together, Taiwan will certainly become even better,” he said.

Designed by the renowned late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, who was known as the “Queen of Curves,” the bridge spans nearly 1 kilometer across the mouth of the Tamsui River in northern Taiwan, featuring a single curved mast inspired by the movements of dancers from Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.

CNN named the Danjiang Bridge one of the 11 architecture projects set to shape the world in 2025.

Authorities expect it to help relieve chronic congestion around the Guandu Bridge and improve access between New Taipei and Taoyuan International Airport.

Following its opening next week, the trip between Tamsui and Bali will be shortened by 15 kilometers, saving around 25 minutes of travel time, with traffic on existing routes expected to fall by 30 percent.

The bridge project was first proposed in 1998 but faced years of delays due to environmental reviews, design revisions and construction difficulties.

Construction finally began in 2019 after multiple failed tenders, with engineers later overcoming challenges ranging from underwater leaks to strong winds at the river estuary.