In response to steadily increasing cross-border traffic between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau over the past few decades,
the development of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) launched in 2009 after over 30 years of planning and discussion. The main bridge will extend over China’s waters and connect to boundary crossings and several road linkages. Upon expected completion in 2016, this bridge will span 50km and have cost a total of 11 billion US dollars.
The construction of the bridge will prepare for increasing freight traffic between the eastern and western banks of the Pearl River Delta which is expected to reach 169–220 million tons by 2020. Its purpose will be to help meet and facilitate increasing flow in the regions, and to promote sustainable and healthy economic development throughout the Greater Pearl River Delta region.
For Macau, closer linkages with the mainland and Hong Kong will help to support healthy economic development and pave the way for opportunity and potential in the region.
Sources:
http://www.hzmb.hk/eng/index.html
http://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/policy/transport/issues/cbt_3.htm
http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/
http://macaubusinessdaily.com/