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World's longest sea crossing: Hong Kong-Zhuhai bridge set to open World's longest sea crossing: Hong Kong-Zhuhai bridge set to open
(35 minutes later)
The world's longest sea crossing bridge is set to open on Tuesday, nine years after construction first began.The world's longest sea crossing bridge is set to open on Tuesday, nine years after construction first began.
Including its access roads, the bridge spans 55km (34 miles) and connects Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai.Including its access roads, the bridge spans 55km (34 miles) and connects Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is believed to be attending the opening ceremony on the Zhuhai side on Tuesday.Chinese President Xi Jinping is believed to be attending the opening ceremony on the Zhuhai side on Tuesday.
The bridge has cost about $20bn (£15.3bn), but critics have said it is an unnecessary "white elephant".The bridge has cost about $20bn (£15.3bn), but critics have said it is an unnecessary "white elephant".
Construction has been dogged by safety issues - at least 18 workers have died on the project, officials say.Construction has been dogged by safety issues - at least 18 workers have died on the project, officials say.
The bridge will officially open to regular traffic on Wednesday.The bridge will officially open to regular traffic on Wednesday.
What's so special about this bridge?What's so special about this bridge?
The crossing connects three key coastal cities in southern China - Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai.The crossing connects three key coastal cities in southern China - Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai.
The bridge, designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, was built using 400,000 tonnes of steel, enough to build 60 Eiffel Towers.The bridge, designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, was built using 400,000 tonnes of steel, enough to build 60 Eiffel Towers.
About 30km of its total length crosses the sea of the Pearl River delta. To allow ships through, a 6.7km section in the middle dips into an undersea tunnel that runs between two artificial islands.About 30km of its total length crosses the sea of the Pearl River delta. To allow ships through, a 6.7km section in the middle dips into an undersea tunnel that runs between two artificial islands.
The remaining sections are link roads, viaducts and land tunnels connecting Zhuhai and Hong Kong to the main bridge.The remaining sections are link roads, viaducts and land tunnels connecting Zhuhai and Hong Kong to the main bridge.
Why has it been built?Why has it been built?
It is part of China's plan to create a Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong, Macau and nine other cities in southern China.It is part of China's plan to create a Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong, Macau and nine other cities in southern China.
The area is currently home to 68 million people.The area is currently home to 68 million people.
In the past, travelling between Zhuhai and Hong Kong would take up to four hours - the new bridge will cut this down to 30 minutes.In the past, travelling between Zhuhai and Hong Kong would take up to four hours - the new bridge will cut this down to 30 minutes.
Can anyone drive across the bridge?Can anyone drive across the bridge?
No. Those who want to cross the bridge must obtain special permits, allocated by a quota system. And all vehicles will pay a toll.No. Those who want to cross the bridge must obtain special permits, allocated by a quota system. And all vehicles will pay a toll.
The bridge is not served by public transport, so private shuttle buses will also ply the route. There is no rail link.The bridge is not served by public transport, so private shuttle buses will also ply the route. There is no rail link.
Authorities initially estimated that 9,200 vehicles would cross the bridge every day. They later lowered their estimations after new transport networks were built in the region.Authorities initially estimated that 9,200 vehicles would cross the bridge every day. They later lowered their estimations after new transport networks were built in the region.
What are people saying about it?What are people saying about it?
There's been a great deal of criticism of the project.There's been a great deal of criticism of the project.
The bridge has been dubbed the "bridge of death" by some local media. At least nine workers on the Hong Kong side have died and officials told BBC News Chinese that nine had died on the mainland side, too.The bridge has been dubbed the "bridge of death" by some local media. At least nine workers on the Hong Kong side have died and officials told BBC News Chinese that nine had died on the mainland side, too.
Hundreds of workers have also been injured during the construction.Hundreds of workers have also been injured during the construction.
There have also been concerns about the environmental impact.There have also been concerns about the environmental impact.
Environmental groups say the project may have caused serious harm to marine life in the area, including the critically rare Chinese white dolphin.Environmental groups say the project may have caused serious harm to marine life in the area, including the critically rare Chinese white dolphin.
The number of dolphins seen in Hong Kong waters has decreased from 148 to 47 in the past 10 years, and they are now absent from the waters near the bridge, according to the Hong Kong branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).The number of dolphins seen in Hong Kong waters has decreased from 148 to 47 in the past 10 years, and they are now absent from the waters near the bridge, according to the Hong Kong branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
"The project has made irreversible damage to the sea," said Samantha Lee, Assistant Director of Ocean Conservation at the WWF. "I am worried that the number will never rise again.""The project has made irreversible damage to the sea," said Samantha Lee, Assistant Director of Ocean Conservation at the WWF. "I am worried that the number will never rise again."
Is it going to make up its costs?Is it going to make up its costs?
The bridge, surrounding link roads and artificial islands cost a staggering $20bn to build - the main bridge alone cost $6.92bn.The bridge, surrounding link roads and artificial islands cost a staggering $20bn to build - the main bridge alone cost $6.92bn.
Chinese officials say it will generate up to 10 trillion yuan ($1.44tn; £1tn) for the economy, but one Hong Kong lawmaker cast doubt on that figure.Chinese officials say it will generate up to 10 trillion yuan ($1.44tn; £1tn) for the economy, but one Hong Kong lawmaker cast doubt on that figure.
"I am not so sure either how the bridge can sustain itself if not many cars are using it," Tanya Chan told BBC News Chinese."I am not so sure either how the bridge can sustain itself if not many cars are using it," Tanya Chan told BBC News Chinese.
"I am pretty sure that we would never earn that [construction cost] back.""I am pretty sure that we would never earn that [construction cost] back."
According to an estimate by BBC Chinese, the bridge will only earn around $86m in tolls per year.According to an estimate by BBC Chinese, the bridge will only earn around $86m in tolls per year.
In fact, the bridge's maintenance costs would already take away a third of this income.In fact, the bridge's maintenance costs would already take away a third of this income.
Critics have called the bridge a "big white elephant" that guarantees no economic return. Others have said its main purpose is symbolic, ensuring Hong Kong is physically connected to the mainland.Critics have called the bridge a "big white elephant" that guarantees no economic return. Others have said its main purpose is symbolic, ensuring Hong Kong is physically connected to the mainland.
Additional reporting by the BBC's Cho Wai Lam Additional reporting by the BBC's Lam Cho Wai