THE LARGEST BRIDGE
china got another achievement by building
largest bridge which connect main land china and hong kong
Later this week,
the long-awaited 34-mile sea bridge connecting mainland China to Hong Kong and
Macau will finally open.
In a ceremony on
Tuesday that Chinese president Xi Jinping will reportedly attend, the bridge
will officially open. Its accolades include the designation of “world’s longest
sea bridge,” a $20 billion price tag, nine years of construction, and a whole
lot of controversy. Supporters say the bridge will massively reduce the time it
takes to travel between the three places, reducing journey times from three hours to 30 minutes.
But opponents have concerns about the impact of the bridge.Although the bridge
is opening to traffic this week, making practical use of it may prove to be
another challenge for citizens. Private cars will need a special permit to be
allowed to drive on the bridge, and public transportation will not cross it.
Shuttle busses crossing the bridge will cost between $8 and $10 for
a one-way trip. Permits may not be easy to come by either. Hong Kong residence
will have to vie for 300 permanent permits to drive to Macau, though a certain
number of non-permit holders will be allowed to cross each day as well. Permits
to drive to mainland China are only available under certain conditions,
such as having paid a certain amount of tax on the mainland, having donated to
mainland charities, or working for a “recognized high tech enterprise.”
Nine workers have died in
the construction of the bridge and 200 have been injured. Subcontractors
carrying out works have been found to be endangering their workNine workers have died in
the construction of the bridge and 200 have been injured. Subcontractors
carrying out works have been found to be endangering their workers, and
questions have been raised as to the safety of the bridge itself, after photos
that emerged earlier this year appeared to show concrete blocks from the
construction “floating away.” Though officials said the placement of the blocks
was intentional, it’s not a good time to have the safety of you
bridge called into question.ers, and questions have been raised as to the
safety of the bridge itself, after photos that emerged earlier this year
appeared to show concrete blocks from the construction “floating away.” Though
officials said the placement of the blocks was intentional, it’s not a good time to have the safety of you
bridge called into question.
The waters under
the bridge are home to the Chinese white dolphin, a species whose population is
seriously declining, with only 47 of them seen in
the year from April 2017 to March 2018. Experts fear the bridge construction,
in addition to expansion of the local airport, have sounded the death knell for
the species, and governmental conservation efforts will prove to be too little
too late.
Comments
Post a Comment