Increasing Flow of People, Goods & Capital
Chinese construction company CCCC-FHDI is in the process of building a $12 billion, 31 mile (50 km) bridge between Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai, in effect connecting the east and west banks of the Peral River Delta. The bridge, which will include the longest bridge span in the world, will be a direct link for passengers and freight traffic heading to and from the western part of PRD.
The project, overseen by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau authorities will increase access of mainland China to Hong Kong and bring together densely populated and booming centers of manufacturing, finance and tourism. The project is wholeheartedly supported by China’s National Development and Reform Commission , which is sparing no expense to make the project a success. Toll fees are expected to be minimal to encourage use of the new bridge.
Longest Bridge In The World Will Employ Cutting Edge Technology
The longest bridge span will be 18.3 miles (29.6 km), have three cable-stayed spans between 1,246 feet (280 m) and 1,509 feet (460 meters) tall and a 3.75 mile (6 km) harbor tunnel. Critical to the project are new floating modules to support sections of the bridge and two new artificial islands in Macau and Zhuhai.
The main Y-shaped bridge will use cutting-edge engineering technology and design enabling it to withstand earthquakes up to 8.0 magnitude, typhoons and 300,000 ton cargo vessels; the bridge is designed to have a 120 year life span.
Social & Economic Benefits To Pearl River Delta Region
The project, expected be complete by the end of 2014 or early 2015, is a series of bridges and tunnels that will cut commuting times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai or Macau by 40 minutes or from 4.5 hours to 3 hours and 45 minutes. The bridge will create a regional transport network, improving upon what is considered to be a weak land transport network currently in place.
As expected, the new bridge comes with environmental issues, including its negative effects on the natural beauty of Tung Chung Bay as well as questions about its effect on currently popular destinations like Ngong Ping 360 cable car tourist attraction and Hong Kong itself.
The following video shows the bridge under construction.
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