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China is about to open the world's longest sea bridge. It cost $20 billion and is 20 times longer than the Golden Gate Bridge.
China is about to open the world's longest sea bridge. It cost $20 billion and is 20 times longer than the Golden Gate Bridge.
Aria BendixOct 22, 2018, 23:40 IST
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After nine years of construction and controversy, China will officially unveil the world's longest sea bridge at a Tuesday ceremony in Hong Kong. At more than 34 miles long, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is part of a master plan to create a global science and technology hub by connecting two Chinese territories, Hong Kong and Macau (the world's largest gambling center), to nine nearby cities.
With an economic output of $1.5 trillion, the new mega-region- known as the Greater Bay Area - is positioned to rival the Silicon Valley. The plan also includes the construction of an $11 billion bullet train, which opened in September.
The bridge is expected to open to traffic on Wednesday, though only certain vehicles - shuttles, freight cars, and privates cars with permits - are allowed to cross. Pedestrians and bicyclists are prohibited.
The $20 billion structure is 20 times longer than the Golden Gate Bridge.
The title of world's largest sea bridge previously belonged to the Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which stretches 26.3 miles.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is designed to last for more than a century, and has the capacity to withstand major storms and earthquakes.
The structure can hold up in the face of 211 mile-an-hour winds. These claims were put to the test in September, when Typhoon Mangkhut swept through Hong Kong, destroying roofs, shattering windows, and toppling trees.
The bridge is made of 420,000 tons of steel — enough to build 60 Eiffel Towers.
The bridge's towers were inspired by three elements: Chinese knots, the Chinese white dolphin, and the mast of a boat.
The bridge's curves are designed to resemble a snake.
A four-mile underwater tunnel connects two artificial islands, which help support the structure.
The tunnel was built below the water to prevent the disruption of shipping lanes. The Greater Bay Area is one the busiest shipping areas in the world, with around 4,000 vessels passing through each day.
After kicking off in 2009, construction was set to finish in 2016, but was delayed due to budget and safety concerns.
Nine workers have died and more than 200 have been injured over the course of construction.