Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge: World's longest sea-based bridge

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Now to the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai where construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is close to completion. It's the world's longest sea-based bridge, and the largest steel-structure bridge. CGTN's He Weiwei tells us more.

A landmark at the Pearl River Estuary. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is 55 kilometers long, making it the longest cross-sea one in the world.

It consists of a main body, boundary-crossing facilities in each of the three cities, and three link roads. The main body is a combination of bridge, tunnel and artificial islands.

Its construction started in 2009, and was not an easy process. Due to complicated geological conditions, there's no precedent to follow. Engineers used the world's largest floating crane to build the undersea tunnel and artificial islands. Several world records have been broken in terms of its length, depth, steel usage and so forth.

The mega bridge is a dual three-lane highway. Once operational, it will cut down driving time between the three cities, from the current three hours to a mere 30 minutes.

Improved traffic means better connectivity. The bridge is seen as a core infrastructure project in the Guangdong-HK-Macao Great Bay Area, a nine-city cluster and strong economic engine in China.

YU LIE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR HONG KONG-ZHUHAI-MACAO BRIDGE AUTHORITY "The bridge will enhance the connection of the bay area, and boost exchange of personnel, goods, information and capital between the three places. It also guarantees better transportation, development and integration of the region."

Work is underway to ensure the project's swift completion. He Weiwei, CGTN, ZhuHai.