Governments Sign Hong Kong Bridge Contract

Representatives of three governments on March 13 signed a contract for the preliminary design of a bridge to smooth the flow of goods across the bay to and from Hong Kong.

Parties in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Advance Work Co-ordination Group signed a contract with the representative of the China Highway Planning and Design Institute, head of the consortium that will undertake the preliminary design and investigation of the main body of the HZMB project.

The consortium includes COWI A/S, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering & Rail Transit Design and Research Institute and CCCC First Harbour Consultants Co Ltd.

The main body of the HZMB will be approximately 29.6km. To the west, it lands on the artificial island off Gongbei, and to the east, it lands on the eastern artificial island for the tunnel section. It will support a six-lane expressway with a 100 kilometer-per-hour speed limit. A tunnel will link the two artificial islands that provide bridge/tunnel switching facilities.

The Central People’s Government and the three local governments will share the expense of the construction. Together with the contribution of Guangdong, the Mainland will be contributing a total of $1.023 billion. Hong Kong and Macao will contribute $987 million and $289 million respectively. The three governments will put up approximately 42 percent of the total construction cost in cash and finance the rest.

Construction is expected to start by the end of 2009.