On October 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping officially opened the 34-mile Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge. The following day at 9 a.m., the bridge opened to traffic.
Described as the longest sea bridge in the world, the HKMZ connects the gaming hub of Macau to Hong Kong and the city of Zhuhai on the Chinese mainland. It took nine years and HK$120 billion (US$15.3 billion) to build. The sweeping structure actually consists of three cable-stayed bridge spans, two artificial islands and a four-mile long tunnel, according to the engineering firm Arup, which was involved in the design. It crosses the Pearl River Estuary and reportedly will slash travel time to the three destinations; for example, the trip from Hong Kong to Zhuhai will reportedly be cut from three hours to 30 minutes, reported the China Daily.
According to USA Today, motorists must hold a special permit to travel on the bridge, and most will have to park and then board a shuttle bus or specially hired car to make the crossing. People traveling from Macau must reserve one of the 3,000 parking spaces at the port there; Hong Kong is considering building a similar parking facility. Buses will run between the three cities every five minutes during peak hours, every 10 to 15 minutes during non-peak period and every 15 to 30 minutes overnight, reported the South China Morning Post. Tolls will range from 60 yuan to 300 yuan (US$8 to $43).
The super-span is a joint project of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province in China. The Guardian newspaper reported that the bridge will integrate the two special administrative regions—Macau and Hong Kong—into China and also “form a technology hub to compete with Silicon Valley.”
“The bridge serves as a bond between Hong Kong, Macau and other Guangdong cities,” Hong Kong Executive Councillor Wong Kwok-kin told the Post. “It is a symbol of the Greater Bay Area.”
Fans of the project defend the multibillion-dollar price tag, saying the new bridge will strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a regional aviation and logistics hub. Inside Asian Gaming reported that Macau will also enjoy greater tourism once the bridge is fully operational. CNBC.com reported that Xi’s visit was seen as “highly symbolic,” coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the launch of China’s reforms, which began turning the country “from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy with ‘Chinese characteristics.’” Officials say an estimated 30,000 vehicles could use the bridge each day by the year 2030.
Also on hand for the opening ceremony were Macau SAR Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On; China’s Vice Premier Han Zheng; Guangdong Communist Party of China Chief Li Xi; and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
Chui said the structure and a new system of customs inspections will improve the flow of people between Guangdong Province and Macau. He called the bridge a great example of Chinese architecture and a symbol of the development of the “Chinese Dream.”
