A US$20-billion bridge connecting Hong Kong and Macau to the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai is set to finally open this week, marking the completion of the longest sea bridge ever built, nine years after construction began.
The 55-kilometre-long bridge, situated in the Lingdingyang will open on October 24 and is said to be a key part of the Greater Bay Area plan, a campaign to connect Hong Kong and Macau to 11 Chinese cities to form a high-tech region to rival Silicon Valley.
“The bridge is not just a mega transport infrastructure jointly built by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau,” Hong Kong’s secretary for transport and housing, Frank Chan Fan, says according to the Guardian.
“The collaboration between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in terms of trade, finance, logistics and tourism will be strengthened. Hong Kong will assume a more proactive role in the development of the Greater Bay Area.”
The bridge spans the Lingdingyang channel, connecting the major cities of Hong Kong and Macau with the Chinese mainland at Zhuhai, in Guandong province.
Proponents of the idea say the bridge will cut journey times between the cities from three hours to 30 minutes, which they say will enable commuters and tourists to easily move around the region.
The bridge is due to open to traffic on Wednesday, but private cars will only be able to use it upon successfully applying for a special permit.
The crossing will not be served by public transport, and is mostly intended for private shuttles and freight vehicles.
