Construction of the 31-km (19-mile) Huangmao Sea Channel project is pushing forward despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming for operations in 2024. 

Work on the main structure of the five towers of the project's cable-stayed Huangmao Sea Channel and Gaolan Port bridges is estimated to be completed in mid-2023. To date, over a quarter of their concrete pouring has been completed.

The mid-tower of the 2,200-m (2,406-yd) Huangmao Sea Channel Bridge has now finished concrete pouring on nine of its 45 sections, while eight sections of the bridge's west tower and four sections of the east tower have been completed, according to Sun Wenjin of the project's management center.

Main tower of Huangmao Sea Channel Bridge is under construction [Photo by Li Jianshu / Zhuhai Daily] 

The towers for what will be the world's biggest three-tower cable-stayed road bridge have a height of around 250 to 260 m (853 ft). The concrete used for the structure is even better than that used on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) in terms of corrosion resistance capability. It will also be able to resist a 14-grade typhoon.

The installation of cables and steel box girders will be moved forward after construction of the five towers is completed. In addition, work on the approach bridges, two tunnels, and four interchanges is also underway. 

As of now, 75 percent of the foundation for over 3,000 root piles has been completed, while 35 percent of the concrete pouring for the piles of the approach bridges has been finished.

With a maximum speed limit of 100 kmph (62 mph), the entire dual six-lane expressway will connect Zhuhai's Pingsha Town and Taishan's Doushan Town in Jiangmen. 

Upon operation, the sea channel will help form an important passage in west Guangdong Province, serving as a western extension of the HZMB along with the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway.

A one-hour transport circle is envisioned within Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a sea and river channel cluster will be formulated by the Huangmao Sea Channel, Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, as well as the Nansha and Humen bridges.