Major part of construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is completed on July 7, 2017. (Photo/CGTN)
Construction of the world's longest and deepest submarine tunnel, part of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), has been completed, authorities announced on Friday morning during a ceremony.
With work on the final section now over, all parts of the sea-crossing megastructure will be connected.
The underwater tunnel extends for 6.7 kilometers and lie 40 meters below the seabed.
The ambitious project, jointly carried out by the three cities, consists of several parts including a 22.9-kilometer bridge, the submerged tunnel and two artificial islands which will accommodate the transition to the bridge.
The project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2017, and will cut down driving time from Macao and Zhuhai to Hong Kong from three hours to just 30 minutes.
Last Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the construction site on his three-day trip to Hong Kong SAR.