Cross-Delta Bridge to Open End-2016

Delta Bridge slated to open in 2016 (Photo: Government Information Bureau)

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge – whose construction started in December 2009, and will be one of the world’s longest sea crossing bridges upon completion – has been designed to meet the demands of passenger and freight land transport of Hong Kong, the Mainland (particularly the Pearl River West region) and Macau. It will establish a new land transport link between the east and west coasts of the Pearl River, spurring economic development in the three places. Travelling time by road from Hong Kong to Macau will be shortened to an hour from the current 3 hours. The Main Bridge is a dual 3-lane carriageway with a bridge-cum-tunnel structure form, running from the artificial island off Gongbei in Zhuhai to another artificial island just west of the Hong Kong SAR boundary.

The 55-kilometre bridge flies over the waters of the Ling Ding Sea, connecting Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai, and has a 6.7 kilometre-long undersea tunnel running between two manmade islands – known as Artificial West Island and Artificial East Island.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Authority Executive Director Wei Dongqing said that despite numerous challenges, the cross-Delta bridge - which is now clearly rising from the sea - is expected to open to traffic at the end of 2016 as originally planned.

Wei added that the Authority had set up a working group to study Customs clearance facilities to process travellers more quickly at border checkpoints as well as charges at the tolls.

The Macau port management area will include main border buildings, basement parking areas and other facilities, as well as road infrastructure projects, such as entry / exit lane verification, drop-off area, logistics and cargo handling area plus areas reserved for a rail station.