Highways Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge (HZMB) Main Bridge

Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge

Current Design Architectual Drawing

(updated as at 19.5.2009)

Project Title :
Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge (HZMB) Main Bridge

Consultant :
The consultant for preliminary design and site investigation is a joint venture with China Highway Planning and Design Institute Consultants, Inc as the leading consultant. Other members include COWI A/S, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering & Rail Transit Design and Research Institute, CCCC First Harbour Consultants Co. Ltd.

Construction Commencement Date :
1st Package End of 2009 (Tentative)

Construction Completion Date :
2015/2016 (Tentative)

Estimated Project Cost :
Under Review

Project Objective:

The proposed Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge (HZMB), being situated at the waters of Lingdingyang of Pearl River Estuary, is a large sea crossing linking the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Zhuhai City of Guangdong Province and Macao Special Administrative Region. The functions of the bridge are to meet the demand of passenger and freight land transport among Hong Kong, the Mainland (particularly the region of Pearl River West) and Macao, to establish a new land transport link between the east and west coasts of the Pearl River, and to enhance the economic and sustainable development in the three places.

Description:

The HZMB Main Bridge is a 29.6km dual 3-lane carriageway in the form of bridge-cum-tunnel structure comprising an immersed tunnel of about 6.7 km. According to the current option, It runs from the artificial island off Gongbei of Zhuhai to the eastern artificial island for the tunnel section just west of the HKSAR boundary.

The project includes:

construction of a 29.6 km dual three-lane carriageway in the form of bridge-cum-tunnel structure comprising a tunnel of about 6.7 km;
construction of two artificial islands for the tunnel landings west of the HKSAR boundary; and
associated works including civil and structural works, environmental mitigation, drainage, electrical and mechanical, traffic control and surveillance system, etc.

Estimation on Traffic Volume

Assuming the existing quota system remains unchanged, when the HZMB opens in 2016, we estimate the daily traffic volume of the HZMB will be about 9,200 ~ 14,000 vehicles. In 2035, the daily traffic volume of the HZMB will be increased to 35,700 ~ 49,200 vehicles. We have been considering means to broaden the availability and flexibility of cross-boundary travel for private cars. Our aim is to roll out a trial scheme for ad hoc quota system at the Shenzhen Bay Port as soon as possible. The trial, if proven successful, will pave way for future implementation at the HZMB.


Connectivity of the HZMB with the Road Network at the Pearl River West

Strategic Value of HZMB

The HZMB will be strategically important to the further economic development of Hong Kong, Macao and the Western Pearl River Delta region. It will significantly reduce transportation costs and time for travelers and goods on the road, but the benefits go far beyond this. With the HZMB, the Western PRD will fall within a reachable three-hour commuting radius of Hong Kong. This would enhance the attractiveness of the Western PRD to external investment, which is conducive to the upgrading of its industry structure. Hong Kong will benefit from this new economic hinterland, with its vast human and land resources which will provide ample opportunities for Hong Kong businessmen to expand their operation in the Mainland.

The Economic Net Present Value (ENPV) of the project is about RMB￥40 billion for an operation period of 20 years. The estimated ENPV for Hong Kong is about RMB￥23 billion as compared to RMB￥13 billion for the Mainland and RMB￥4 billion for Macao. The Economic Internal Rate of Return of the project is 8.8% in respect of Hong Kong over a 20-year period, or 12% over a 40-year period.

Current Situation:

The Feasibility Study report has already been submitted to Central People’s Government for approval. The contract for preliminary design and site investigation for the Main Bridge was awarded to the joint venture with China Highway Planning and Design Institute as the lead consulting company. The preliminary design works, together with the site investigation works, commenced in mid March 2009. The recent significant achievements in feasibility study, financial arrangement and preliminary design were attributed to the close coordination among the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR and also the support of the Central People’s Government.

Key Dates

Date	Activities
July 2003	“Transport Linkage between Hong Kong and Pearl River West” was completed and confirmed the urgent need for the construction of a land transport link between the HKSAR and the Pearl River West.
August 2003	The HZMB Advance Work Coordination Group (AWCG) was established.
February 2004	The AWCG commissioned the China Highway Planning and Design Institute (HPDI) to conduct a feasibility study for the HZMB.
April 2005	The expert panel organized by the National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) agreed the three HZMB landing points at San Shek Wan of Hong Kong SAR, Gongbei of Zhuhai and A Pérola of Macao SAR, and also recommended to adopt the Northern bridge-cum-tunnel alignment option.
January 2007	The HZMB Task Force led by the NDRC was established. The Task Force recommended that the Boundary Crossing Facilities of each government should be set up within their own respective territories.
February 2008	The three governments agreed on the scope of the HZMB Main Bridge project and to be responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of their own boundary crossing facilities and associated link roads.
August 2008	The three governments agreed to take up the responsibility for the construction of the HZMB Main Bridge. The project cost will be shared according to an agreed principle of Equalization of Benefit to Cost Ratio where Hong Kong will bear 50.2% of the cost, Guangdong 35.1% and Macao 14.7%. The Mainland (including Central People’s Government support), the HKSAR and the Macao SAR governments will contribute RMB￥7.0 billion, RMB￥6.75 billion and RMB￥1.98 billion respectively to the project cost of the Main Bridge. The total contributions from the three sides will be RMB 15.73 billion, which is about 42% of the project cost of the Main Bridge. The remaining 58% will be financed by loans.
December 2008	The HZMB Feasibility Study Report was submitted to Central People’s Government for approval.
March 2009	Contract of HZMB Main Bridge – preliminary design and site investigation was signed. Commencement Ceremony was held and the preliminary design and site investigation was formally commenced.
April 2009	Bank of China was selected as the leading bank and will provide loan commitment letter for fulfilling the requirement for approval of the HZMB feasibility study report.

Related Site:

Transport and Housing Bureau

Cross Boundary Traffic