The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, a 55-kilometer (34-mile) sea crossing that connects Hong Kong, Macau, and the city of Zhuhai, will accept its first drivers later this week (Oct. 24). A combination of lengthy bridge segments, a 6-kilometer underwater tunnel, and two artificial islands, the record-breaking bridge has been in development since 2003 and under construction since 2009. When it opens, it will be arriving two years late and more than a billion US dollars over budget. The trip from Hong Kong to Macau, open to only a select few with the proper permits, will be shorter (roughly 30-45 minutes) than the previous options, which include flying or an hourlong ferry trip.

While some media have been allowed to tour the bridge up close, images from a distance showcase the crossing in its full context, connecting two locations over a wide expanse of sea.

AP Photo/Vincent Yu A twilight view of the bridge.

Reuters/Aly Song A general view of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge is seen before its opening ceremony on Oct. 23. It will open to general traffic on Oct. 24.

AP Photo/Vincent Yu A close-up of a bend in the bridge, seen from Hong Kong.

AP Photo/Andy Wong Visitors chat with a lifeguard on a beach as they look at the Zhuhai-Macau-Hong Kong Bridge in Zhuhai in south China’s Guangdong province.

Reuters/Bobby Yip A view from Hong Kong, showcasing the bridge and the tunnel entrances and exits.