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The longest bridge in the world crossing the sea, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, located in the city of Zhuhai, which connects the east and west sides of the Pearl River Delta in southern China, will be officially inaugurated Tuesday. (October 22)
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An overview shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZM) (return) in Hong Kong on October 22, 2018. The longest sea bridge in the world connecting Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China will be inaugurated on October 23. when Beijing seeks to tighten its grip on its territories.(Photo: ANTHONY WALLACE, AFP / Getty Images)

The longest sea bridge in the world is expected to open to traffic this week, connecting Hong Kong and Macau to the mainland city of Zhuhai.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, which is approximately 34 km long and nine years old, covers the waters of the Pearl River Estuary and will reduce travel time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai from three hours to 30 minutes , according to the same source. English language China Daily newspaper.

Regular motorists will not be able to cross it – a special permit is required. According to CNN, most drivers will have to park and then switch to a specially rented shuttle bus or car. Tolls range from 60 to 300 yuan (between $ 8 and $ 43), according to China Daily.

The bridge is a joint venture between Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong Province of China. According to the Guardian, the bridge should allow to integrate the two special administrative regions in China and to constitute a technological pole capable of competing with Silicon Valley.

The bridge is located in an area of ​​the Great Bay of China, which, according to an article by Tim Summers of Chatham House, has about 67 million inhabitants and a GDP of $ 1.5 trillion, tied with that of South Korea. one of the richest regions of China.

"The bridge serves as a link between Hong Kong, Macau and other cities in Guangdong. This is a symbol of the great bay region, "said Hong Kong executive adviser Wong Kwok-kin in the South China Morning Post.

This massive structure is the first major combined sea crossing project between a bridge and a tunnel in China. It includes three cable-stayed bridges with a range of 280 to 460 meters, two artificial islands and a tunnel nearly 4 miles long. , according to Arup, an engineering company involved in the design of bridges and artificial islands.

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