Tendering for the 29km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge could start next year, Guangdong authorities have told visiting Hong Kong legislators. Guangdong estimates that the bridge will cost US$6.7 billion and is considering a build-operate-transfer structure for the project, with the private sector invited to finance the scheme. Should this route be taken, there are calls for the franchise to be longer than the 30 year period that is the norm in Hong Kong.