China took nine years to build the world’s largest sea-crossing bridge

It took China nine years to go 34 miles from Hong Kong to Macau. That’s a rate of 0.00043 mph. Of course, a bridge was built along the way. Opening to the public tomorrow, the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge will become the world’s largest sea-crossing bridge and overall one of the biggest bridges in the world.

The numbers surrounding the bridge are nothing short of staggering. It reportedly cost $20 billion. Part of that cost comes from the massive structure using 400,000 tons, or 800 million pounds. That type of strength is supposedly enough to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake, a typhoon, or hits from the largest of cargo ships.

According to CNN, it is the sixth-longest bridge in the world, and quite impressively, the fifth-largest bridge in China. The global top three include China’s 102-mile Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge, Taiwan’s 98-mile Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct, and China’s 72-mile Cangde Gran Bridge.

For such a larger-than-life feature, it’s surprisingly affordable to use. According to

CNN

, personal drivers will require a special permit, but public bus or shuttle transportation will be available for the equivalent of $8 to $10, depending on the time of day.

No project this big gets off without its share of difficulties. During construction, seven workers died, with another 275 sustaining injuries. Furthermore, environmentalists are concerned for the endangered white dolphin that frequents the area. This will hopefully be offset by special programs to save and maintain the aquatic life.

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