China opens world's longest sea bridge near Qingdao

Gerald · 06-30-11, 10:05 AM

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

06-30-11, 10:05 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	China opens world's longest sea bridge near Qingdao 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 __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie