Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge, China

The Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge is one of the major infrastructure projects being taken up in Hong Kong region. The bridge will link the west side of Hong Kong to Macau and the Zhuhai City of the Guangdong Province.

Stretching 29.6km over the Pearl River, the bridge will cut down travel time between Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai significantly. It is expected to be economically beneficial to the three regions. Construction of the proposed bridge commenced on 15 December 2009. The bridge is scheduled for completion by 2015-16. Preliminary design of the main bridge began in March 2009.

About $87m has been sanctioned for preliminary design and site investigation and $47m for the preconstruction works of the project.

Project

The project comprises the construction of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZMB), Hong Kong boundary crossing facilities and a Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR). Additionally, it will include related infrastructure development such as environmental protection, landscaping and drainage works, street lighting, traffic control and surveillance systems.

The HKZMB’s main bridge will extend 29.6km, crossing from east to west of the Pearl River. Forming a bridge-cum-tunnel structure, the bridge will comprise a double three-track carriageway. It will land on two artificial islands created on the east and west of the Hong Kong special administrative region.

For providing cargo processing and passengers clearance facilities at the Hong Kong boundary, nearly 130 hectares of land will be procured at the north-eastern coast of the airport island. The Hong Kong boundary crossing facilities (HKBCF) will include kiosks, goods inspection platforms and X-ray buildings that would assist in the processing cargo.

Buildings for passenger clearance will be constructed while kiosks will be installed for screening private cars and coaches. The boundary crossing facilities will also include frontline offices for government departments such as immigration and excise. There will be a provision for road networks, switching public transports, and drop and pick up area of transport.

The HKBCF will be connected with the main bridge through a 12km-long Hong Kong link road (HKLR). The HKLR will be a dual three-track carriageway that will connect the west boundary of HK administrative region to the HKBCF, through the North Lantau and the airport channel. It will be aligned in the form of a 9.3km long sea viaduct, comprising a number of arches supported by piers. The link road will be designed to support a vehicle speed of 100kmph. Construction will commence by 2011, with the completion scheduled for 2015-16.

Tunnels

The bridge will consist of a series of tunnels. A 6.7km long underwater tunnel will be constructed to link the two artificial islands created for the landing of the main bridge. Further, the HKLR road will have a 1.1km long tunnel section that would pass through the mountains and the airport before connecting to a 1.6km grade road along the eastern coast of the airport island.

Contractors

The preliminary design works of the bridge will be undertaken by a consortium led by China Highway Planning and Design Institute (HPDI). Other parties in the consortium include COWI A/S, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering & Rail Transit Design and Research Institute and CCCC First Harbour Consultants.

Financing

The bridge's construction will be financed jointly by the government and through loans. Together, the three governments of China, Hong Kong and Macau will contribute RMB 15.73bn, nearly 42% of the entire construction cost. The contribution of the Chinese Central government would be RMB 7bn while Hong Kong and Macau will provide RMB 6.75bn and RMB 1.98bn respectively.

The remaining fund requirement will be met through a loan from the Bank of China. The Bank of China will lead a financial consortium formed along with the banks of Hong Kong and Macau. The Bank of China will provide a RMB 22bn loan to construct the main body of HZMB.