Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
West section of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Credit: N509FZ.

The multibillion-dollar Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge is set to open for public use.

Linking Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macau, the structure is claimed to be the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge and cost more than $20bn to build during a nine-year period.

Initially scheduled to open in 2016, a number of delays, budget overruns, and safety issues pushed the opening of the bridge back to 24 October this year.

The bridge is an important part of China’s Greater Bay Area plan, which encompasses 11 cities, including Hong Kong and Macau.

The project includes a series of three cable-stayed bridges, straddles across the mouth of the Pearl River Delta, two artificial islands and a 6.7km undersea tunnel, which was constructed to help avoid inconvenience to shipping lanes.

“The collaboration between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau in terms of trade, finance, logistics and tourism will be strengthened.”

London-based engineering firm Arup started the preliminary design of the bridge in 2009 in a joint venture (JV) with the China Highway Planning and Design Institute (HPDI) and other firms.

The bridge can withstand winds of up to 340km/h and has a life-span of 120 years. Its design incorporates the shape of dolphins, Chinese knots and a boat’s mast, while the curves of the road are also said to resemble a snake.

Hong Kong transport and housing secretary Frank Chan Fan said: “The bridge is not just a mega transport infrastructure jointly built by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

“The collaboration between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau 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.”

With the opening of the bridge, the travel time between Hong Kong and the Western Pearl River Delta region is expected to be reduced considerably.