The world's longest bridge will officially open on October 23. The grand structure will connect the eastern and western Pearl River Deltas in southern China, according to China Daily.
The 55-kilometer-long bridge will connect the administrative regions of China's Hong Kong and Macao (Macau) and Zhuhai in Guangdong Province. It includes not only overwater structures but also a 7-kilometer underwater tunnel and three artificial islands. The mega-bridge is also scheduled to open to traffic on October 23, immediately following the grand opening ceremony. In September, only cross-border buses were permitted to use the bridge.
The giant bridge has already been dubbed one of the "modern seven wonders of the world." Construction began in 2009, using 400,000 tons of steel. The total cost of the project exceeded $17 billion. Hong Kong residents have repeatedly criticized the construction due to its high cost. Furthermore, locals fear the massive influx of tourists.
The opening of the world's longest bridge will reduce the travel time from Hong Kong to Macau and Zhuhai from three hours to just 30 minutes. The builders promise the structure will last over 100 years and can withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8.
Previously, the title of the longest bridge in the world belonged to another Chinese bridge, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge. It's "only" 36 kilometers long. The bridge crosses Hangzhou Bay in the East China Sea and the Qiantang River.
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Source: news.turizm.ru