A joint venture (JV) between Dragages Hong Kong and VSL, subsidiaries of Bouygues Construction, and China Harbour has won a contract worth €1.25bn to construct a section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

The three-lane carriageway bridge will link Hong Kong with Zhuhai and Macao, two cities located on the other side of the Pearl River Delta.

The JV will design and build the first section of the 9.4km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge from the International Airport Island to the boundary of Hong Kong territorial waters.

The companies will also be responsible for electrical and mechanical engineering works, installing marine navigational aids, and a ship impact protection system, as well as maintaining and monitoring the management systems for the structure of the bridge, and considering height restrictions due to the proximity of the bridge to the airport

The project, which is expected to start in mid-2012 and is scheduled to be completed in 2016, will use marine-based equipment and require special logistical arrangements, as well as keep open navigational channels throughout construction.

Dragages Hong Kong will be responsible for the designs, engineers, constructs, finances, long-term operation and maintenance, electrical and mechanical engineering.

VSL specialises in post-tensioning systems, heaving lifting and cable stay systems for bridges.

China Harbour Engineering Company, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company, is an engineering contractor.