HK section of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge nears completion

Undated photo shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge [Photo: VCG]

The Hong Kong SAR's Highways Department announced on Thursday that construction of the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is entering its final stage, and is expected to be completed within the month. Construction of its Hong Kong section started in 2012.

The project includes an artificial island to house the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities, which connects to a 2.76-kilometer undersea tunnel linking two major parts of the gigantic bridge.‍

The bridge includes a 6.7-kilometer-long tunnel beneath the water and a 22.9-kilometer-long bridge that passes over the sea, making it the longest cross-sea bridge in the world after completion.

Undated photo shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge [Photo: VCG]

Construction of the Y-shaped bridge started in 2009 and will cost more than 10 billion yuan (1.5 billion US dollars). It is part of the country's planned national highway network, linking the western and eastern banks of the Pearl River.

The bridge is expected to be able to connect Hong Kong, Macao and Zhuhai for more than 120 years.

By the time it is put into operation, the bridge will cut the current four-hour drive to 30 minutes between Hong Kong and Zhuhai.