China has begun work on a $10.7bn (CNY73bn) cross-sea bridge linking its southern economic hub Guangdong Province to Hong Kong and Macao.

The Y-shaped bridge, claimed to be the world’s longest cross-sea bridge, will be 50km-long and have a six-lane expressway.

The bridge will have a vehicle speed limit of 100kmph and is aimed at reducing travel time between Hong Kong-Zhuhai from the current three hours to 30 minutes and the Hong Kong-Macao trip from the current three hours to one hour.

The project is also aimed at improving trade between the three cities and is expected to be complete by 2015.