China opens world's longest sea bridge near Qingdao

[Gerald]

China has opened the world's longest sea bridge to general traffic.

The bridge spans 42.4km (26.3 miles) to connect the eastern coastal city of Qingdao to the suburb of Huangdao, in Jiaozhou Bay.

State media say the bridge passed construction tests on Monday and it opened to traffic on Thursday, along with an undersea tunnel.

The bridge would easily cross the English Channel, which is 32km wide at its narrowest point.

The bridge will carry 30,000 cars a day and - it is hoped - slash commuting times.

It is 4km longer than the previous record-holder, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the US state of Louisiana.

It took four years to build and state media say the project cost over 10bn yuan ($1.55bn; £970m). The bridge is supported on more than 5,200 pillars.

It is expected to carry more than 30,000 cars a day, and will reportedly cut the commuting time between Qingdao and Huangdao by up to 30 minutes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13976281


Note: 30 June 2011 Last updated at 11:43 GMT

[Platapus]

I notice there is not a lot of shoulder on that bridge. It would stynk if someone ran out of gas or had an accident right in the middle.

Could you imagine that traffic jam?

[Feuer Frei!]

Only 35km will be above water. Only
What's the speed limit on this bridge going to be? 42.4km long.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Only 35km will be above water. Only
What's the speed limit on this bridge going to be? 42.4km long.

I would think 70 km/H...

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Platapus

I notice there is not a lot of shoulder on that bridge. It would stynk if someone ran out of gas or had an accident right in the middle.

Could you imagine that traffic jam?

I'm looking at the cost as well....hope no corners have been cut.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Only 35km will be above water. Only
What's the speed limit on this bridge going to be? 42.4km long.

A small marathon distance on the way to work,