World’s longest sea-crossing, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, is now open

Now connecting Hong Kong with Zhuhai and Macau is the world’s longest bridge and tunnel sea crossing, a megaproject measuring in at 55km, which is 20 times longer than San Fran’s Golden Gate Bridge, and containing enough steel (400,000 tonnes to be exact) to build 60 Eiffel Towers. Costing approximately $20bn, it’s one of the most ambitious modern architectural feats in the world, and today it has been officially opened for business. It follows only weeks after the introduction of several bullet trains connecting Hong Kong to Greater China

Designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, the aptly named Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge represents a significant connection between Hong Kong and mainland China, shortening the journey time from Hong Kong International Airport to Zhuhai, a city on the southern coast of Guangdong, from four to 45 minutes.

Andrew Clark, the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific regional director for the Hong Kong Tourism Board said that this bridge will reinforce Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s gateway and foster further economic and tourism development in the Greater Bay Area.

“The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will be a fantastic tool to further enhance the destination’s tourism offering by putting a wealth of diverse cultural attractions, including: the stunning ruins of St. Paul’s in Macao; the Statue of Fisher Girl in Zhuhai; the Kaiping Diaolou; the Seven Star Crags in Zhaoqing, all within easy reach”, said Mr Clark.

Given the bridge’s length, certain safety precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of all permitted drivers travelling the length. In addition to requiring special permits, allocated by a quote system, and paying a toll, all vehicles will be under the watchful eye of special “yawn cams”. Basically, if a driver yawns three times the cam will alert authorities. 48 high-definition surveillance cameras have also been installed to help counter any potential terror attacks, working alongside anti-terror police patrols as reported by South China Morning Post.

Oddly enough, there’ll be another requirement for those driving across the bridge that is unique to this structure. Because Hong Kong and Macau locals drive on the left, and those in Mainland China drive on the right, special merger channels have been built so drivers will have to change which side of the road they are on at the crossing.

For more information head on over to hzmb.hk.

Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.

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