Another world's longest bridge? by Barbora Misakova

China has begun construction of the world’s longest sea bridge. It should be completed in 2015 and was designed with a service life of 120 years. I am asking: will we stay here for so long? There are so many problems we have to solve, but we are hiding them in the record sums of money and projects which remind us scenes from science fiction movies. This time I am talking about Y-shaped bridge which will link Hong Kong, Macau and China, what will cut driving time from four hours to one and so foster economic ties between mainland, Macau and Hong Kong. Of course, that is nice idea, but is it really what we need? Are these mega constructions really those things we want t! o leave behind us? A bridge will be around 50 km long in total and will cost 73 billion Yuan what is around 6.75 billion pounds. The longest bridge on the world should withstand the impact of a wind with a speed of 51 meters a second, magnitude-8 earthquake and 300,000-tonne vessel. I have to admit that all these information is very fascinating, but I still cannot help myself and stop thinking about the impact it will have on nature, climate changes and lives of people. Officials said all the environmental issues are already considered in the project, but is it enough? For those who are driven by the dream of quick money making and revived economy, it is. Hong Kong and Macau should become the two special administrative regions and the world’s most vibrant economic centers by 2020. Where one sees gigantic wasting, other sees a way how to boost investment and inspire people. Now the question sounds: what is more important?

related story (sgx16146):! http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/15/worlds-longest-s...

by Barbora Misakova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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