China has inaugurated the world’s longest sea bridge in Shanghai. The bridge opened at 11:58 p.m. with at least 2,000 vehicles queuing for the passage. The bridge is expected to alleviate traffic flow in the booming Shanghai – Hangzhou – Ningbo triangle.

People’s Daily Online reports that the opening of the longest bridge is part of China’s efforts to boost economic integration and development in the Yangtze River Delta.

Hundreds of people attended the opening ceremony for the 36-kilometer bridge spanning Hangzhou Bay near Shanghai on Thursday afternoon. It was held in the middle of the bridge. Tens of thousands of local residents gathered on both banks of the bay, many of whom performed dragon dances in traditional costume to celebrate the span’s opening.

According to Guardian, the bridge is designed to last for 100 years.

The world’s longest sea bridge was formally opened yesterday linking Shanghai to the industrial city of Ningbo across Hangzhou Bay in China. The 22-mile bridge will reduce the driving distance between the eastern side of Shanghai and the port town of Ningbo by 75 miles.

Sun Ningwei, the vice-president of the Xinhai Electric Company, based in Cixi, Ningbo, is quoted commenting on the importance of the bridge.

“I think it will be easier for our company to recruit high-calibre employees, who always prefer working in small cities like Cixi but living in big cities like Shanghai. They can leave Shanghai for Cixi in the morning and go back in the afternoon. It’s only 1.5 hours’ drive,” Ningwei said.

Photo:© nathan3d

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