A feasibility report on the construction of the road link in western Shenzhen was approved by the State Council, China's highest governing body, late last month.

The project requires the building of a 5,154-meter-long bridge over Shenzhen Bay, customs facilities and other related infrastructure.

The bridge is to be jointly built by Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Designs for the bridge, customs facilities and infrastructure will be carried out soon.

The project, which will cost 1.57 billion yuan (US$189.2 million), will allow the passage of 70,000 to 80,000 motor vehicles daily.

Shenzhen City faces Hong Kong across a river. At present, there are four routes connecting Shenzhen, one of China's five special economic zones, and Hong Kong. They are Huanggang, Wenjindu and Shatoujiao checkpoints, mainly for cargo transport, as well as Lo Wu checkpoint for passage of passengers.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2002)