Construction has completed on the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB), one of the largest sea bridges in the world. Mott MacDonald provided quality assurance and control support for the 30km China section of the bridge and designed parts of the Hong Kong connection.
With a total length of 55km, HZMB combines approximately 23km of long-span composite construction viaducts with three cable-stay bridges traversing between 260m to 460m. It also features a six-lane expressway and the world’s longest immersed tube tunnel at 6.7km, which will connect two large artificial islands reclaimed from the estuary.
HZMB is expected to reduce travelling times between Hong Kong and Zhuhai or Macau from over four hours to under one hour. The bridge and tunnel link will also enhance economic and sustainable development around the Pearl River estuary, one of the world’s biggest shipping channels.
As quality management advisor, Mott MacDonald shared learning and experience from similar projects with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Authority. This was with the aim of achieving an international standard of quality in design, construction and buildability.
Additionally, Mott MacDonald acted as lead designer for the Dragages-China Harbour-VSL joint venture for a 9.4km viaduct at the Hong Kong end of the bridge. The consultancy also provided geotechnical, highways, electrical and mechanical, utilities and other civil engineering services on this section of the project.
Zhang Chun, Mott MacDonald’s project principal, said: “The project faced many challenges, not only due to its size but also because of its unique location between three jurisdictions and the difficult offshore environment. It has been a major achievement for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Authority to have led the project from the initial concept stage, through detailed design, to construction and successful completion.”
“The entire project team and the three governments have recognised the role that we have played in helping them to achieve their goals and were impressed by the range and level of expertise that we were able to provide,” Chun added.
HZMB is expected to open to public traffic by the middle of 2018.