After nine years of construction, China is set to officially unveil the world's longest sea bridge on Tuesday at a ceremony in Hong Kong. At more than 34 miles long, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is part of a master plan to create a global science and technology hub by connecting two Chinese territories, Hong Kong and Macau (the world's largest gambling center), to nine nearby cities. With an economic output of $1.5 trillion, the new mega-region — known as the Greater Bay Area — is positioned to rival Silicon Valley. The plan also includes the construction of an $11 billion bullet train, which opened in September. The bridge is expected to open to traffic, though only certain vehicles — shuttles, freight cars, and private cars with permits — are allowed to cross. Pedestrians and bicyclists are prohibited. While some have criticized the structure as a waste of taxpayer dollars, others tout its ability to connect up to 70 million people in the region. Take a look at its remarkable design below.
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