User:Vickili1101/sandbox/Shenzhen Bay Bridge

Shenzhen Bay Bridge is a motor vehicle bridge that connects Hong Kong to mainland China at Shenzhen’s western port. The bridge is 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) long and it has 3 lanes on each direction. Construction took 4 years and the bridge was built separately as the Hong Kong section and the Shenzhen section. Since its opening in 2007, it has made transportation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong much easier with the Immigration Co-location feature, and it is expected to have at least $22.4 billion revenue from passes and economic growth of the surrounding areas.

Geography
Shenzhen boarders Hong Kong at its north side. Since the Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, or “the return”, to China, Shenzhen has become the door from mainland China to Hong Kong. As one of the Special economic zones of China, Shenzhen has the incompatible advantage when it comes to economic connection with Hong Kong, the hub of business, trade and logistics in the Pearl River Delta, even the entire Southern Asia.

Background and History
Prior to the bridge, the three existing vehicle bridges were not able to keeping up with the growing demand of both Hong Kong and Shenzhen residents. Although other forms of transportation such as train and ferry were available, they were not only time consuming ,people also have to drive far to reach the stations or ports. A study done in March 2001 confirmed that a fourth bridge will not only satisfy the current demand, but also have room for future growth. With the new bridge, vehicles no longer need to pass through busy city roads in Shenzhen to reach the port or train stations.

Construction
After careful selection of the design and location of the bridge, construction began in August 2003. The construction is separated for the Hong Kong section and the Shenzhen section. The 3.5 km Hong Kong section was built by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and the remaining 2 km Shenzhen section was built by Shenzhen’s Municipal People’s Government. The two sections are connected at the maritime boundary of the two places. The Hong Kong section was completed in 2005. The entire bridge was scheduled for completion in 2006 but was delayed until 2007 due to legal issues. The total cost of construction adds up to $3.2 billion.

Design and Engineering
The Cable-stayed bridge design was approved by both the HKSAR and then Shenzhen government. A cable-stayed bridge has one or more towers, or pylons, from which cables support the bridge deck. In contrast to a suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge has cables run directly from the tower to the deck, normally forming a fan-like pattern or a series of parallel lines. The bridge is basically a concrete viaduct. Two cable towers lean toward each other, pulling their respective cable-stayed bridges together. After welding each segment together, a pair of stayed cables, one for main span and one for back span, was installed to connect the bridge to the main towers. The 13 pairs of cables consist of different number of galvanized strand, depending on the magnitude of weights they are designed to carry. The shape symbolizes the wish of Hong Kong and Shenzhen residents to grow toward a brighter future and fly high in the sky together.

Environmental Protection
The governments also focused on environment protection even though the construction was going at full speed. During the planning stage, the governments met with environmentalists to consult how to minimize damage to the ecosystem. To protect the water quality, a 1.8 km long, 9 meters wide steel bridge was built temporarily to transport construction material, the longest of its kind in Hong Kong at the time. Deep Bay, an area the bridge cut through with high ecological value, was saved from massive contamination from the construction. Slit curtains were also deployed to prevent sediment leaks.

Operation and Profit
The bridge was officially opened on July 1, 2007 by the then-president of China Hu Jingtao and the then- Chief Executive of Hong Kong Donald Tsang. President Hu drove through the Shenzhen Bay Bridge at the boundary line dividing Hong Kong and Shenzhen, signifying the commissioning of the bridge. The bridge is expected to bring a net economic benefit of US $22.44 billion (HK$175 billion) over a 20-year period.

Immigration Co-location
The Shenzhen Bay Control Point houses both the Hong Kong immigration control port and its mainland China counterpart. The co-location of immigration facilities allows vehicles and passengers to clear custom check in a short distance. The Hong Kong portion of the building, as well as its adjacent open area, are leased to the Hong Kong government. Hong Kong government has to pay rent to the Shenzhen government for the land, costing about HK$5 million per year. The rental agreement lasts until 2047. Hong Kong’s law applies to the entire bridge.