Connecting Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai, the newly launched bridge spans a total of 55 kilometers.
Photo: CGTN
Following nine long years of construction and a delay of two years (it was originally slated to be unveiled in 2016), the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is now open to traffic.
Officiated by Chinese president Xi Jinping, the newly launched bridge connects Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai.
Photo: AFP
At 55 kilometers long, it is also the world’s longest sea crossing–with 30 kilometers of its total length stretching over the sea of the Pearl River delta. Ships are able to pass through via a 6.7-kilometer section, which leads to an undersea tunnel running between two artificial islands.
Built with 400,000 tons of steel, the bridge is designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoons.
It is estimated that 9,200 vehicles will cross the bridge each day, according to the Chinese authorities.
Those who want to cross the bridge in private vehicles will have to pay a toll, as well as obtain special permits, the latter of which are allocated by a quota system.
