China opens mega-bridge linking Hong Kong to mainland

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Dake Kang, Associated Press
Updated 11:38 pm CDT, Monday, October 22, 2018



Photo: Kin Cheung, AP
IMAGE 1 OF 27
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is seen in Hong Kong, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. The bridge, the world's longest cross-sea project, which has a total length of 55 kilometers (34 miles), will have opening ceremony in Zhuhai on Oct. 23.





ZHUHAI, China (AP) — China opened the world's longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland on Tuesday in a feat of engineering carrying immense economic and political significance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was in the city of Zhuhai to cut the ribbon on the 55-kilometer (34-mile)-long bridge linking it to the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him as leaders of the three cities looked on.

The $20 billion bridge took almost a decade to build while incurring major delays and cost overruns. It includes an undersea tunnel allowing ships to carrying immense economic and political significance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was in the city of Zhuhai to cut the ribbon on the 55-kilometer (34-mile)-long bridge linking it to the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him as leaders of the three cities looked on.



Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/world/article/China-opens-mega-bridge-linking-Hong-Kong-to-13328236.php

---

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

[mr_lebowski]

1. Well ... sounds like an impressive feat of engineering but HK has been linked to the 'Mainland' for

many decades ... both in terms of driving your car, and riding a subway train. The first vehicular tunnel opened in 1972, in fact.

IOW, there's long been undersea tunnels that link Hong Kong Island to Kowloon (up to 3, last I checked), which is, physically, part of Mainland China.

So, a 'bridge' (esp. one with a tunnel component) linking HK to mainland China ... is not all that amazing.

A vehicular bridge/tunnel from HK to Macau, though ... is an impressive accomplishment. But not because it's like finally 'linking HK to the Mainland' ... it's just linking HK to a DIFFERENT SPOT ... on the Mainland. Or, if you want to say Kowloon isn't REALLY the Mainland because it's technically 'part of HK' ... I guess you could. But it'd be a bit silly.

[Shipwack]

2. I wonder if this bridge can support the weight of multiple tanks... nt