Stonecutters Bridge

　　Stonecutters Bridge is a twin-tower cable-stayed bridge in Hong Kong, whose towers feature the world's first hybrid structure of "stainless steel + concrete." The main span of the bridge is 1,018 meters long, and the total length including approach roads is 1,596 meters.

　　The bridge stands 73.5 meters above sea level, and its towers reach 298 meters in height—both taller than those of the Tsing Ma Bridge. The deck is a three-lane dual-carriageway expressway with a speed limit of 80 km/h. Part of Route 8 and located within the Cheung Sha Control Area, the bridge spans the Rambler Channel, connecting Stonecutters Island with Container Terminal 9 at the southeastern tip of Tsing Yi Island. It also provides an alternative route for vehicles traveling between the New Territories West and Hong Kong Island, thereby alleviating congestion on the Tsing Kwai Highway. It plays a vital role in the development of Hong Kong’s port and logistics industry and is also one of the city’s new architectural landmarks. The entire bridge can be viewed when ships pass under the Kap Shui Mun Bridge.

　　Construction of Stonecutters Bridge began with its foundation laying in April 2004, and building started in 2005. The original estimated cost was HK$2.76 billion, but the final cost amounted to HK$3.7 billion. The bridge was initially expected to open in June 2008, but the Highways Department stated that the piles had to be driven 40 meters deeper than originally planned, and rising raw material costs during construction led to delays. The bridge was finally joined (closure of the main span) on April 7, 2009, and officially opened on July 29 of the same year. It commenced operations at 7:00 a.m. on December 20, 2009.

　　Stonecutters Bridge Must-visit reason: One of Hong Kong’s newest architectural landmarks