The main construction of the road bridge to carry transport between Hong Kong and Shenzhen is expected to be completed in June this year.

The main body of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Western Corridor project that will link Yuen Long in northern Hong Kong with Shekou in western Shenzhen, is expected to be the widest inter-city road bridge with a dual three-lane expressway to handle 70,000 to 80,000 vehicles a day.

The 4.77-kilometer Shenzhen Bay Road Bridge is being built separately by the two sides. Shenzhen is responsible for 1.79 kilometers at a cost of 902 million yuan (US$109 million). The width of the bridge is 38.6 meters and is designed for speeds of 100 kilometers per hour.

The corridor, the fourth road linking Shenzhen and Hong Kong, is scheduled to be finished in 2005, providing relief for congestion at the existing crossings.

Tang Bingquan, vice governor of the Guangdong Provincial Government, urged Shenzhen authorities to speed up border project construction to promote economic development of Pearl River Delta cities during his inspection trip to the city Friday.

Five cross-border projects were going smoothly, sources from related government departments said.

In addition to the Western Corridor project, the second bridge connecting Lok Ma Chau and Luohu Checkpoint will open by the end of the year.

(Shenzhen Daily March 1, 2004)