Kap Shui Mun Bridge
The Kap Shui Mun Bridge (KSMB) in Hong Kong is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world that transports both road and railway traffic, with the upper deck used for motor vehicles and the lower deck used for both vehicles and the MTR. It has a main span of 430 metres (1,410 ft) and an overall length of 750 metres (2,460 ft). It spans the Kap Shui Mun marine channel between Ma Wan and Lantau and has a vertical clearance of 47 metres (154 ft) above sea level. The bridge was completed in 1997.
Structural information
The total length of the Kap Shui Mun Bridge includes a 70-metre (230 ft) approach span on the Lantau side. There is a column in each of the back spans of the cable stayed bridge, making four 80-metre (260 ft) spans, adding to the 430-metre (1,410 ft) main span. This makes the total length 820 metres (2,690 ft). The 503-metre (1,650 ft) Ma Wan Viaduct was constructed under the same contract as the KSMB. The viaduct connects the KSMB to the Tsing Ma Bridge, forming the Lantau Link, which was built to provide access to the new airport. The navigation clearance of 47 metres (154 ft) is part of the reason that the H-shaped towers are 150 metres (490 ft) tall.
Kap Shui Mun
Kap Shui Mun (Chinese: 汲水門; Jyutping: kap1 seoi2 mun4) or Throat Gates (historically spelled Capsuimoon) is the channel between Lantau Island and Ma Wan in Hong Kong. It is part of major sea route along the coast of South China, from Victoria Harbour to the Pearl River. It joins north with Urmston Road. Kap Shui Mun Bridge spans the channel.
Name
The original Chinese name of Kap Shui Mun is kap shui mun (急水門), the gate of fast-moving water. This exactly describes the current of the channel. The name 'fast-moving water' was associated with accidents for ships and boats. To remove this malign influence, it was renamed to a title with similar sound, k'ap shui mun (汲水門), meaning 'water-fetching gate'. For Chinese, water represents fortune and wealth.
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References
Coordinates: 22°20′35″N 114°3′23″E / 22.34306°N 114.05639°E / 22.34306; 114.05639
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