Chinese engineers installed on May 2, 2017 a key part of what will soon be the world's longest cross-sea bridge linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao.

 

This was the most difficult part of building the main bridge body, with some describing it as "threading a needle under the sea." The process was carried out by Zhenhua 30, the world's largest crane ship, manufactured by China.

 

Chinese engineers installed on May 2, 2017 a key part of what will soon be the world's longest cross-sea bridge linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao.

This was the most difficult part of building the main bridge body, with some describing it as "threading a needle under the sea." The process was carried out by Zhenhua 30, the world's largest crane ship, manufactured by China.

 

Water currents, wind, and buoyancy all played a role in the installation. Workers also had to proceed with caution given their tight margin of error of just 10 centimeters.

 

There are many methods to link the two ends of an undersea tunnel. Normally, it would take half a year to finish the process, but thanks to a new technique developed by Chinese engineers, the operation can now be done within 24 hours.

 

 

 

 

World's longest cross-sea bridge moved one step closer to completion as the construction of the main structure was completed on Sep. 27, 2016   

 

 

 

18:00 July 12, 2016, The last Straighted-element(E28) of HZMB was installed, created a new Recording of Installation Precision(3mm). Until now, its total construction length of immersed tunnel has reached to 4860 meters.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is named by the Guardian as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World Near Completion”.

Our technology partner, as one of the constructors, participates the construction process.

 

 

The project, which called Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB), will have a total length of about 55 km, including a 6.7 km underwater tunnel, two artificial islands and a 23-km bridge over the sea, making it the longest cross-sea bridge in the world.

The HZMB construction environment is complicated. Frequent typhoons, crisscross navigation, airport height restrictions, high environmental standards, etc should be taken into considerations.

The uniqueness of the project includes:

World's first Bridge - Island - tunnel cluster solution: To protect large vessels' the only deep-water lane - Ling Ding navigation channel in these sea, 6.7 km long undersea immersed tube tunnel and 22.9 km long cross-sea bridge, as well as two artificial islands for the realization the conversion of bridges and tunnels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The HZMB is to be built with 120 years design life, and which can withstand a magnitude-8 earthquake and 16 typhoon.

 

World's first Steel cylinder inserted deep into the sea to build island: 120 giant steel tube are fixed to the sea floor and inserted directly to the bottom, filling in the middle to form an artificial island. It takes six months to complete two artificial islands, saving construction period of two and a half year, reduce the amount of sludge excavation nearly ten million cubic meters, created a miracle in the world of engineering.

 

 

 

World's first Harbour Tunnel "semi-rigid" immersed tube structure: Immersed Tube need to be buried under the seabed more than 40 meters to set aside 300,000-ton waterway, in the design and construction of the island-tunnel project, invention patents and new utility patents reached more than 400.

 

 

 

 

High damping Rubber Isolation Bearings: The world's largest size, carriage carrying capacity is about 3,000 tons, and which can withstand a magnitude-8 earthquake, 16 typhoon and 300,000 tons ship's collision.

World's first 1860MPA high strength large-sized cable production technology: In which the outer diameter of the cable-stayed cable is up to 202mm, is currently the largest inclined cable specifications, cable-stayed fatigue resistance is also the highest in the world.

White Dolphin Bridge Tower: The integral hoisting of 105 meters high and 3,000 tons heavy giant steel tower is unprecedented at home and abroad.

 

 

Economic Integration of HK with the Western PRD and its Neighbouring Provinces

The HZMB will be of strategically importance to the further economic development of Hong Kong, Macao and the Western Pearl River Delta region (“Western PRD”). It will significantly reduce transportation costs and time for travelers and goods on the road. With the HZMB, the Western PRD will fall within a reachable 3-hour commuting radius of Hong Kong. This would enhance the attractiveness of the Western PRD to external investment, which is conducive to the upgrading of its industry structure. Hong Kong will benefit from this new economic hinterland, with its vast human and land resources which will provide ample opportunities for Hong Kong businessmen to expand their operation in the Mainland.

 

The connectivity brought about by the HZMB will also benefit various sectors in Hong Kong, such as tourism, finance and commerce. In particular, it will enhance Hong Kong’s position as a trade and logistics hub as goods from the Western PRD and Western Guangdong, Guangxi, etc., can better make use of the airport and container port in Hong Kong. The HZMB will accelerate the economic integration of the PRD and its neighbouring provinces and enhance its competitiveness vis-á-vis countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other economic zones such as the Yangtze Delta region. Hong Kong will stand to gain in this process.

 

 

 

Synergy with the HKIA and Tung Chung New Town

Visitors through the HZMB can conveniently reach the nearby facilities such as the HKIA, Asia World-Expo, hotels, etc. located conveniently at the Airport Island, thus enhancing the business opportunities of these facilities.

 

Transit travellers from the HZMB can either take the shuttle bus to the SkyPier or the future Automated People Mover directly to the terminal building of the HKIA. It will shorten the time for clearance and therefore help enhance the competitiveness of the HKIA.

       

Being close to Tung Chung new town and Lantau Island with many tourist attractions, such as Ngong Ping 360, the Giant Budda, etc, the HKBCF will bring with additional economic benefits and business opportunities to the area at large.

Currently, driving along an existing route from Zhuhai to Hong Kong, it needs around 4 hours, and after the bridge is completed, it will take only about 45 minutes.

Construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017.