China begins construction of world's biggest sea bridge

[PakistanAK47]

Construction has begun on what is planned to be the largest sea bridge in the world.

When completed, the 31-mile Y-shaped bridge will connect Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland via the cities of Macao and Zhuhai.

With around 22 miles of the bridge crossing the open sea, the structure has been designed to withstand tropical typhoons and winds of up to 125mph.

It is scheduled to open in 2016 and authorities hope it will turn the Pearl River Delta into an export and services hub with a projected 200 million vehicles a year using the bridge by 2020.

Donald Tsang, chief executive of Hong Kong said: "Through a more convenient and fast transport network, Hong Kong's financial, tourism, trade and logistics and professional services can become better integrated with the Pearl River Delta and the surrounding areas."

China's economy is predicted to grow by more than nine per cent next year, according to a recent report from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

 

[Hulk]

Wow what a bridge it will be.

 

[grey boy 2]

World's longest sea bridge begins construction - People's Daily Online Dec 15 2009

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao sea bridge began construction on December 15 and Chief Executive Zeng Yinquan of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region attended the ceremony in Zhuhai.

Extending more than 35 kilometers, the bridge will be the longest of its kind in the world. A six kilometer long tunnel will also be part of the sea bridge and will make construction an extremely difficult task. With an operation life of 120 years, the bridge will be able to withstand magnitude 8.0 earthquakes.

The bridge will cross through the Pearl River estuary and link Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau. The main part of the bridge will be 29.6 kilometers long, and the length of the tunnel will reach 6 kilometers. With a 72 billion yuan investment, the sea bridge will be completed in nearly six years. The bridge, once completed, will shorten the driving time between Zhuhai and Hong Kong from three and a half hours to half an hour. Driving time from Hong Kong to Macao will be shortened to one hour from the current three hours. Built to meet the strictest quality standards, the bridge will be able to withstand magnitude 8.0 earthquakes. Its operation life is 120 years.

By People's Daily Online