World-first sea tunnel milestone

A 6,845-meter-long underwater tunnel - part of a cross-sea link project between Shenzhen and Zhongshan - has reached a milestone.

The world's longest and widest sub-sea steel shell concrete tube tunnel consists of 32 tubes. Installation of the final tube was completed yesterday.

The tunnel spans 24 kilometers. It is expected to come into operation next year.

The new Shenzhen-Zhongshan link can shorten the transport time between the two cities to 20 minutes, from the current two hours. It will also help strengthen socio-economic ties across the Greater Bay Area.

The link integrates "bridges, islands, tunnels and underwater intercommunication" and is deemed "the world's most difficult cross-sea cluster project," according to state media.

"We came up with a new and innovative method to install the last tube, which was efficient and did not require large equipment," said chief engineer Song Shenyou.

Lu Wei, a researcher at the mainland's Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said the new link could help narrow the development gap of the two sides of the Pearl River.

Lu expected the utilization rate of the tunnel to be higher than the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as it allows for all kinds of cars, while the bridge only allows cars granted by the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau authorities or those with two plates. Lu added that the tunnel has eight lanes in two directions, while the bridge only has six.

The completion of the link means Hong Kong motorists will have another option to travel between Guangdong cities, as they will be allowed to drive their vehicles to Guangdong via the bridge from July 1.

Some 450,000 Hong Kong cars - or half of the 820,000 registered vehicles - will be eligible for the scheme, SAR authorities said. Slots will be allocated through computer balloting and authorities will increase the quota progressively.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said he hopes the scheme will boost economic, trade, social and cultural links between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

The Transport Department will charge drivers HK$540 a year - or HK$54 monthly - for a closed-road permit for vehicles commuting between Hong Kong and Guangdong. Applicants must be Hong Kong residents aged at least 18, be registered car owners, hold home return permits and have a driving license valid in the SAR and the mainland.

They must also have their cars checked at a designated vehicle examination center in Hong Kong and purchase insurance that also covers the mainland from any of 16 Hong Kong companies.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com

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