THE Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in Qingdao has become one of Forbes’ “Top 11 world’s most incredible bridges.”

According to the judges, construction of the bridge is a “technological miracle,” which represents the country’s top level of architecture and technological development. Another reason given by Forbes is that it is the world’s longest sea-spanning bridge connecting Qingdao and Huangdao.

Forbes said the bridge is the latest in a series of record-breaking bridges in China. Creating the world’s longest bridge across water was no small feat. The 41.58-km-long, six-lane bridge was reported to have used 450,000 tons of steel in its construction — enough for almost 65 Eiffel Towers — along with enough concrete to fill 3,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The structure was designed to withstand earthquakes, typhoons, and the impact of a 300,000-ton vessel, Forbes said.

The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge with a total investment of 14,792 billion yuan was called a “technology wonder” by the magazine. It started construction in May 2007, and was built by the Shandong High Speed Group.

The bridge started operation officially June 30. It is one of the most advanced bridges in the world using the most advanced construction technologies and skills. Its construction did not cause any pollution and it is also the highest bridge in the world with the average height of 58 meters.

(Wang Yuanyuan, Lu Zhifeng)