World's Longest Sea-Crossing Bridge Opened Today in China

A $20 billion, 55-kilometer bridge connecting Mainland China to Macau and Hong Kong opened Wednesday morning.

1 minute read

October 24, 2018, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Bridge and Tunnel

Hitman H / Shutterstock

"Fifteen years ago, China started to work [pdf] on an ambitious project that would eventually become the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge ever built," according to an article by Echo Huang. "Now that bridge, which connects the mainland to both of the country’s special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau, is finally ready."

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opened on Wednesday morning in China, with a ceremony featuring fireworks and presided over by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

"The 55-kilometer (34.2 miles) span—the sea-crossing portion alone is shorter—is part of Beijing’s efforts to knit Hong Kong, Macau, and the southern mainland into the so-called Greater Bay Area to rival San Francisco’s Bay Area as a tech hub," adds Huang. "The project follows the logic that China has been using for years to guide economic development—if you want to get rich, first build a road."

Huang also notes that China recently opened an $11 billion bullet train connecting Hong Kong to the mainland. The article includes a lot more detail about the planning and construction of the bridge, as well as operations of the bridge once it's opened.

Monday, October 22, 2018 in Quartz

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City