Placeholder canvas

Mainland China to Hong Kong in 30 mins through the world’s longest sea-bridge

Date:

Hong Kong: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday officially inaugurated the world’s longest Hong Kong-Zhuhai sea-crossing bridge at a ceremony in Zhuhai.

It took nine years to construct the bridge which runs 55 km and connects Zhuhai in mainland China with the semi-autonomous territories of Hong Kong and Macau built over the Pearl River Delta sea.

According to reports, it will open to regular traffic on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Turkey to stop visa on arrival for India and other countries

The bridge is built with 400,000 tons of steel, which is 4.5 times the amount used in the construction of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and can withstand natural calamities such as earthquakes (maximum 8.0 magnitude) and typhoons.

The structure also has a 6.7 km submerged tunnel to avoid the busy shipping paths over the Pearl River Delta. The tunnel connects two islands on reclaimed land, measuring 100,000 square metres each, situated in shallow waters.

Chinese, President, Xi Jinping, China, Hong Kong, Mainland China, longest bridge, 55km, NewsMobile, Mobile News, Global Traveller, India

The project, which costs $20 billion, was dogged by safety and land acquisition issues. With the bridge now officially flagged off, the journey time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai will take just 30 minutes, compared to three hours currently. However, critics of the megaproject asserted that the opening of the bridge is politically motivated and is a costly white elephant.

ALSO READ: Experience class at 30,000 ft in these luxurious airline cabins and suites

Despite the reduction of travelling time, those coming from Hong Kong will not be able to cross the bridge without a special permit. Drivers will have to park their vehicles at Hong Kong port and switch to a shuttle bus or hire special cars after clearing certain immigration procedures.

The opening of the bridge is a part of Beijing’s aim to create a ‘Greater Bay Area’ economic hub, including Hong Kong, Macau and other prominent cities in southern China.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

Popular

More like this
Related

Orry Faces Backlash After Declining Handshake At Event

Internet sensation Orry, famed for his wild antics and...

From Deepfake Concerns To India’s AI Mission PM Modi Interacts With Bill Gates

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a...

NewsMobile Morning Brief

Actor Govinda Joins Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena Ahead Of...

Gangster-Turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies Of Cardiac Arrest

Banda: Gangster turned politician Mukhtar Ansari passed away at...