The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) is the first mega sea crossing project built jointly by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao under the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy. It is both a bridge-tunnel system that connects Hong Kong and Zhuhai in Guangdong with Macao and is the longest sea crossing in the world. The opening ceremony for the HZMB took place on October 23rd, 2018.

With a total length of 55 kilometres, it crosses the Lingding Ocean and connects Hong Kong on the eastern side and Zhuhai and Macao on the western side. This is a new transport link between the east and west banks of the Pearl River Estuary. After the opening of the HZMB, the travel time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai/Macao has been reduced from 3 hours to 45 minutes, which has accelerated the progress in achieving the idea of "a one-hour living circle". That is the connectivity of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

Construction of the HZMB project began on December 15th, 2009. It took 15 years to plan out and construct the project. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority jointly established by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao is responsible for construction, operation, management, and maintenance of the main bridge. The Hong Kong, Macao and Zhuhai ports and link roads within the three places have been constructed and are operated by local governments.

The main structure is made up of three bridges, two artificial islands, and one tunnel, with a total length of 29.6 kilometres. Photo above: the Qingzhou Channel Bridge.

The two oval artificial islands share the same overall structure and adopt a form of seashell. They both have main buildings, squares, and round-the-island roads. However, their functions are different. The east artificial island, adjacent to Hong Kong, measures 97,962 square metres and is 625 metres long. It is positioned as an integrated operation centre for transportation, management, service, rescue, and sightseeing. The east artificial island, with an area of 101,973 square metres and a length of 625 metres, has the functions of tunnel ventilation, operation and management, maintenance, and office.

The HZMB is featured with many records, such as the world's longest sea crossing, world's longest submarine immersed tunnel, world’s longest steel bridge, and so on.

After nine years of construction, the main bridge was completed and handed over on February 6th, 2018. From September 28th to 30th the three parties conducted a joint test on the main bridge, the Hong Kong, Macao and Zhuhai ports, and link roads.

The HZMB was officially opened on October 23rd, 2018 and opened to traffic at 9 a.m. on October 24th. The vehicles permitted to travel on the HZMB include: cross-border coaches, shuttle buses, cross-border hire cars, cross-border goods vehicles, and authorized cross-border private cars.

The three regions have separate border crossing customs and immigration facilities for clearance and provide a 24-hour clearance service. The three ports are established and managed by governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao respectively and located in their jurisdictions, of which Zhuhai and Macao adopt an innovative mode of “joint inspection and one-stop clearance”, improving passenger experience.

The Guardian newspaper described the HZMB as one of the 'seven wonders in the modern world'. The HZMB marks a major achievement in China's bridge construction history and embodies national strength.

Photos: website of the HZMB, online exhibition of the HZMB

Author: Will, Michelle

Editor: Jerry