At 55km long, 22.9km of the road is oversea, 6.7km undersea, with the links marked by two artificial islands. Around 420,000 tonnes of steel were used to create the bridge deck, and the lifespan is designed to be 120 years.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) will be the world’s longest bridge-tunnel sea crossing when it opens on Wednesday (October 24).
At 55km long, 22.9km of the road is oversea, 6.7km undersea, with the links marked by two artificial islands. Around 420,000 tonnes of steel were used to create the bridge deck, and the lifespan is designed to be 120 years.
The three-lane mega structure is a feat of engineering that is expected to boost tourism particularly to Macao and Hong Kong from mainland China, ease the transport of goods and be key in the growth of the Greater Bay Area.
The construction, which started in 2011, took two years longer than scheduled and has faced a number of engineering issues.
It is allegedly over a third over budget, despite the actual cost remaining behind closed doors, although sources suggest Hong Kong alone has invested US$15.3 billion.
However, with Macau and Zhuhai within an hour’s drive of Hong Kong, many are looking forward to testing the bridge.
The anticipated 45-minute journey between Hong Kong International Airport to Zhuhai will cut three hours 15 minutes off the usual four-hour journey.
Intercity cross-boundary coaches will connect downtown Hong Kong with downtown Macau and Zhuhai, with prices varying between HK$120 and over HK$200.
Local buses will link the cities with the immigration terminals where passengers will need to switch to a bridge shuttle.
Shuttles will run 24/7 every five to 30 minutes, depending on time of day or night. Day crossings will cost HK$65, overnight crossings HK$70. Passengers can buy tickets online or at machines in the ports’ departure halls.
Tour operators as well as hotels and other providers will run private and charter buses.
The bridge is the second land-based mega-structure to open recently, with the High Speed Rail link from Hong Kong to mainland China opening September 23.