Approved by the State Council, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge has lately kicked off construction which, when completed, will become the world longest cross-sea bridge.

Starting from Ningbo in the north and ending at Jiaxing in the north, the bridge runs a full length of 36 kilometers. The whole cost is around 10.7 billion yuan, including 10.7 billion for the bridge body and 5.21 billion for the linking highway at two ends which cover a whole distance of 84.4 kilometers.

There are two navigation holes designed in north and south ends of the bridge, both cable-stayed bridges with navigation standards at 35,000 tons and 3000 tons respectively. The construction will be completed in about five years.

The bridge will help regional economic development along the Yangtze River, especially in cities of Ningbo, Jiaxing and Shanghai, experts said.

( People's Daily August 27, 2002)