Work on an artificial island along the Zhuhai-Macao border will kick off early next month to prepare for the construction of the main body of a landmark bridge linking the economic hub of Guangdong to Hong Kong and Macao, according to a Zhuhai government source.

The source, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said work on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will start Dec 4, and building the artificial island along the Zhuhai-Macao border will be the initial task.

A groundbreaking plan for the bridge has been submitted to the State Council, which will make the final decision on the groundbreaking date, Zhu Yongling, a director with the working office of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Project, said Sunday. Previously, Zhuhai and Hong Kong officials disclosed construction on the bridge was scheduled to start Dec. 20.

The State Council on Oct 28 approved a feasibility report on the construction of the proposed 50-kilometer bridge, which is estimated to cost 72.6 billion RMB (10.63 billion USD).

The work office of the bridge project has started inviting bids for a reclamation project for the artificial island, and construction of the bridge will start with the island, Zhu said. The reclamation area, covering around 216.46 hectares, is situated south of Gongbei Bay in Zhuhai.

Construction on the 35.6-kilometer main body of the bridge won't start until early next year, according to Zhu.

The main body, to be built according to the six-lane expressway standard with a vehicle speed of 100 km/h, will also include a 6,6 -kilometer under-sea tunnel. The deepest part of the tunnel will be about 40 meters below sea level. Construction of the tunnel and two artificial islands at the two ends of the tunnel will be among the most difficult projects ever built in the world, according to the bridge designer.

After its completion in 2016, the bridge is expected to provide maintenance-free service for 120 years, nearly 2.5 times the service life of ordinary bridges and ranking as the longest bridge in China.

Analysts expect the bridge will forge stronger economic and social ties between the west bank of the Pearl River Delta region, Hong Kong and Macao. After its completion, driving time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai will be shortened to around one hour, from more than four hours at present.

Editor: Miranda