Hong Kong has faced many daunting challenges. But with its creativity, ambition and quick adaptability to change, the city has scaled one height to another. And the development of transport infrastructure has fully demonstrated Hong Kong's strength.

Stretching across the Ma Wan Channel, Tsing Ma Bridge was completed in 1997 as a key component of the Lantau Link which connects the bustling city to the airport.

The striking and graceful landmark has also been put on world's record lists as the longest suspension bridge for road and rail traffic.

An engineering feat: Stonecutters Bridge and Nam Wan Tunnel are the key components of Route 9.

Now resourceful Hong Kong is preparing itself for another engineering feat - Stonecutters Bridge.

"The bridge is a key feature of Route 9, a strategic link in Hong Kong's road network," Director of Highways Mak Chai-kwong told news.gov.hk.

It will be located at the entrance to the city's busiest port area in Kwai Chung and straddle Rambler Channel.

Mr Mak said: "The bridge itself is an engineering challenge in many senses. It is a very tall bridge, and has a very long span."

The bridge will be constructed in a cable-stayed form, with a world-record span of 1,018 metres - much longer than the Tatara Bridge in Japan, which is currently the world's longest cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 890 metres.

The two bridge towers will literally touch the sky, at 290 metres in height. The height of the towers of its neighbours, Tsing Ma and Ting Kau Bridges, are 206 metres and 200 metres respectively.

"It has to allow navigation for container vessels, with a vertical clearance of at least 73.5 metres above sea level," he said, adding that tall bridge towers are also required to supporting a long-span bridge.

Mr Mak said construction will start by the end of this year, and the bridge will open to traffic in 2007.

"We have allowed for a very tight programme. I think that is achievable and realistic, based on our previous experiences in Hong Kong. We have the Kap Shui Mun and Ting Kau Bridges, which are also cable-stayed."

Turning to Route 9, Mr Mak described it as a strategic route in the city's road network - a major transport link.

Part of the route, known as the Lantau Link and North Lantau Highway, was completed in 1997.

The remaining 13.5-kilometre long section will link up Sha Tin with Tsing Yi. Construction started in May last year.

"It will provide a direct link between Sha Tin and Tsing Yi and facilitates northeast New Territories travellers, alleviating traffic at the Lion Rock and Tate's Cairn Tunnels.

"It will also connect to Route 3. Cross-boundary traffic will have a very convenient and direct access to the container terminals."

Apart from the Stonecutters Bridge, other key features of the strategic route include three road tunnels and four viaducts.

"The project is a very big one, and it will create about 6,000 jobs," he said.

When commissioned, the travelling time between Sha Tin and Chek Lap Kok will be cut by 10 minutes to 35 minutes.