Hong Kong, China, 29 July – The design of the bridge to link Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai has been approved by the Chinese Transport Ministry, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post reported Monday.

The paper said that the ministry had approved the design of the bridge, which has been under discussion for several years between the three sides of the Pearl River Delta and which the national authorities believe will boost the role of Hong Kong as a central hub for regional navigation.

Plans for the bridge will now be handed over to the Central Government and the State National Commission for Development for final approval.

Without noting final construction costs – studies point to a cost of 40 billion yuan – the bridge between Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai is expected to create 10,000 jobs in the pre-construction phase alone and will be 50.2 percent funded by Hong Kong, 35.1 percent by Zhuhai and 14.7 percent by Macau.

The bridge will have six lanes stretching across 30 to 35 kilometres, which will span bridges and tunnels in order to keep navigation channels open.

At the two ends of the bridge two artificial islands are to be built from which Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau will be accessed. (macauhub)