The massive £5.5bn bridge that's one of the world's most expensive
The pricey bridge has been constructed to withstand magnitude eight earthquakes making it nearly impossible to destroy.
The longest overwater bridge in the world also comes with one of the heftiest price tags. The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in eastern China reportedly cost a whopping $8.8bn to construct - or £5.5bn.
Completed in 2011, the mammoth structure was constructed to connect the eastern coastal city of Qingdao to the suburb of Huangdao, in Jiaozhou Bay.
This cut the commuting time between Qingdao and Huangdao by up to 30 minutes.
It spans an incredible 42.4km (26.3 miles). For perspective, it could connect England with France, as the English Channel at its most narrow point is just 32km wide.
Even more impressive is the fact it took the title of the longest overwater bridge from the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the US, which spans 38km.
Construction of the bridge began in May 2007. But the exact cost of construction is up for debate. According to the Daily Mail and The Telegraph, its construction cost around $8.8 billion (now worth £5.5bn).
However, Chinese sources reported $1.5bn and $2.27bn. Around 10,000 people were reported to have worked on the bridge, taking four years to finish it.
Construction workers were divided into two teams and they started working from the opposite sides of the bay. The two parts were connected on December 22, 2010.
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An incredible 450,000 tons of steel were used for the bridge – as much as would be needed for the 65 Eiffel Towers.
And 2.3 million cubic metres of concrete, which could fill 3,800 Olympic swimming pools, were used. It is supported by 5,000 pillars.
During the first month of its operation, commuters could drive over the bridge for free. Following that a 50 yuan ($7.75) toll was introduced.
It was predicted around 30,000 cars would use the bridge daily, but reports say this figure is more like 10,000. Officials in China say the bridge can withstand a magnitude eight earthquake.
