“Did the bridge always lead to three different worlds?” a child’s voice piped up from beside me. An excellent question. The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) does indeed connect three distinct regions: Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai. Each with its own laws, currency, and even driving habits. The HZMB, a marvel of engineering, stretches 55 kilometers across the Pearl River Delta. It’s a bridge-tunnel system, a symphony of cable-stayed bridges, an undersea tunnel, and artificial islands. This isn’t just any bridge. It’s the world’s longest sea crossing and the longest open-sea fixed link. The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge opened in 2018. However, its story began decades earlier with a vision from Gordon Wu, the founder of Hopewell Holdings. He imagined a link inspired by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Wu’s idea initially faced setbacks. But the project finally gained traction in the late 2000s. Construction began in 2009 and spanned almost a decade. The HZMB isn’t without controversy. The project faced delays, budget overruns, and concerns about worker safety and environmental impact. Despite these challenges, the bridge now stands as a testament to human ingenuity. Over 1.5 million vehicles cross the HZMB each year. A 24-hour shuttle bus service, the “golden buses,” ferries passengers across the bridge in about 40 minutes. Private vehicles can also use the bridge, but permits are limited. The bridge even uses advanced technology like “yawn cams” to monitor driver fatigue. The HZMB has undeniably brought these three regions closer together, facilitating trade and tourism. It serves as a vital artery in the Greater Bay Area’s economic heart.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to