Engineering Feats: The World's Longest Bridge

From now on, China boasts the world's longest extraordinary sea bridge. The colossal engineering development of this project took about nine years. But it was surrounded by political problems and tensions.

Undoubtedly, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is the longest bridge over the sea on our planet, counting with 55 kilometers. It consumed 1 million cubic meters of cement and 420,000 tons of steel. For a total cost of 15 billion euros.

Of the total length of the bridge, 30 kilometers are over the open sea and 6.7 kilometers comprise a subway tunnel., where the entrances and exits will be between two artificial islands.

Connections

This mega construction links Hong Kong and Macao with Zhuhai in Mainland China.. Thus reducing the travel time from about 4 hours to about 30 minutes. It should be noted that citizens of these towns traveled by boat between these three cities.

Hence, between Macao and Hong Kong there are about 150 connections per day.. As a curious fact, special lanes had to be designed for the change of channel. Because in China they drive on the right channel, and in Hong Kong on the left side.

In addition, according to studies developed under the climatic conditions of the area, the bridge is estimated to have a useful life of about 120 years.. It will withstand winds of up to 340 kilometers and earthquakes up to 8 degrees on the Richter scale. Likewise, it has an undulating structure with aThe purpose of the project is to avoid interrupting the very active maritime traffic in this estuary.

The bridge and its controversies

A construction such as this amazing bridge brings endless benefits to the citizens., The company's operations are based on the following factors, such as direct and indirect labor, improved travel times, to name a few.

But, on the other hand, it also can lead to various controversies, as has the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge. From delays in execution times. To cost overruns due to unforeseen expenses.

Equally important, it is worth mentioning that more than a hundred employees suffered injuries. Nine people also died since the start of construction. Although Hong Kong media reports indicate that it was a higher number. In addition, 3 technicians were imprisoned for tampering with resistance tests performed on the structure.

As a result of the execution of this engineering work, environmental groups and organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), have denounced the decrease in sightings of white dolphins. A species on the verge of extinction.

A step forward in engineering

In short, a mega project of engineering that was inaugurated this past Tuesday, October 24., The construction of the new bridge, where vehicles could only begin to pass through on Wednesday. This construction allows the Chinese nation to show its power in this type of structures.

With this, China seeks to consolidate the coveted New Silk Road, to improve global connections between Asian and European countries. In order to turn Beijing into a center of innovation in technology.

The 5 longest sea bridges

Finally, here is a list of the longest bridges over the sea on our planet:

• 5. Hangzhou Bay Bridge (China) of 35.76 kilometers.
• 4. Manchac Swamp Bridge (United States) with 36.69 kilometers.
• 3. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (United States) of 38.42 kilometers.
• 2. Qingdao Bay Bridge (China) with 42.5 kilometers.
• 1. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (China)

Let us know what you think of this engineering workHow long do you think it will remain the longest sea bridge in the world?

Image: CNN