World's longest Qingdao cross-sea bridge to link nearby islands to open in June

Qingdao Bay Bridge in East China's Shandong province, the world's longest cross-sea bridge, is expected to open to automobiles in June. The road over the bridge is scheduled to be completed in 10 days.

The crossing will link downtown Qingdao to Yellow Island and Red Island, making access to the two outposts quick and easy. The total length of the bridge is over 40 kilometers, and will shorten the journey from Qingdao to Yellow Island by nearly 30 kilometers, saving 20 minutes over a journey using the Jiaozhou Bay Expressway.

The newly-completed bridge has set several world records. It is the longest trans-oceanic bridge under construction, and the first to have a junction over water. The Red Island junction allows drivers easy access to either Qingdao or Yellow Island. Constructors of the bridge overcame many technological challenges and environmental protection was always given full consideration.

Shao Xinpeng, Chief Engineer of Qingdao Trans-Oceanic Bridge, said, "We have raised the corrosion-resistance level of the concrete used. We also made sure that all the material meets the standards needed for the freezing conditions it faces. Secondly, we carefully considered the thickness of the protection layer of the concrete. To protect the environment, when drilling the piles, all the slush was kept in the vessel and then transported away."

The bridge will further consolidate the leading role Qingdao plays in the blue economic zone of the Shandong Peninsula, and promote the economic development of the whole area.